Hi B and D... I just went thru this whole thing myself... I have a hybred Cannondale now. I want more speed! I looked at touring bikes, cyclocross, and roads.
I just bought a road bike but it's on order so I don't know yet if I'll be faster. I would expect I will be due to bigger gears, more aerodynamic, and tires. I do know tho...that some of the power is supplied by the engine (me) so I have to work on keeping my cadence fast.
See if you can test ride one or borrow a friends to check it out.
Sarah