Not sure if you can actually "ride" the clutch - I suspect not. There is still no real "feel" to the clutch. But a standing start in Shift definitely feels more "interactive" than in GT5P.
You have a choice of "automatic clutch" where you don't have to depress the clutch at all, or manual. Manual is set up so that it will still engage gear if you don't use the clutch - there is just a second's delay & over-reving of the engine - a decent compromise IMO. It is much easier to use than in GT5P, because you can adjust the point at which the clutch engages, so that it is not as easy to miss-shift as in GT5P.