Recumbents utilize muscles differently than conventional bikes so it is difficult for a fast rider to just jump on a recumbent and be fast, but with a little training the payoff is fantastic. Again it takes some training but you can be comparable. The payoff is the descents. Recumbents can be tremendously fast on descents and this is why most have superior brakes. Recumbents look low.
Most people have to really ride a recumbent in traffic to believe the advantage.
A recumbent rider is at about the same height and position as a car driver. On a recumbent you are looking out at the road scanning for problems and getting eye contact with drivers. On a conventional bike you have to crane your head up to see past the front wheel. Eye contact with a car driver is very important, as this causes the driver to acknowledge you as a person and not an obstacle. Also recumbents are still a bit unusual and often drivers are watching you just to understand the bike.