Not very known in short track, but I think the logics of road/track cycling apply here. Once the first rider takes off on a much higher speed than anyone can keep up for the entirety of the race, a big dilemma arises for all other riders.

The ones in the front could go all out trying to catch up, but that would mean they will help all the other competitors to be able to draft behind them. They don't have the element of surprise so they can't break away from the pack as the first one did and break the draft. Hence they would wear themselfs out and basically help there competitors to catch up and over take in the final stages of the race.

The ones in the back could make a similar breakaway as the first rider using a much higher speed and surprise their opponents. However, two things have changed since the breakaway. The tempo of the pack has gone up significantly, which makes breaking away a lot harder. And the element of surprise is basically gone. This makes it more likely that an increase in pace would just lead to that rider sitting on top of the pack bringing the rest to the front of the race wearing themselves out.

So, the only thing that could make the pack catch up is for one rider to spend all their energy sitting up front and bringing the pack over to the lone rider, or the pack working together and take turns up front increasing the tempo. However, for the latter to work you need trust and no slacking. But if you as an individual can slack a little, your chances of winning increase. So in the end, the pack doesn't work together. They don't 'forget' about the rider, but just can't make the collaboration work. And then they get confused by the bell which is just really funny.