I remember watching the replay a few days after the race and seeing Maja go for that pass, I think I let out an audible “HOLY SHIT!” It was pretty ballsy (or female equivalent), especially when she had been taking the other line through the rocks in previous laps and one mistake could have cost her 2nd place or more. Maybe I’m impressed because I am rarely the one doing the passing in a race or because I would have more than likely shit myself on that decent than to have tried a risky pass for a win. Most likely it’s just because I have always been sort of a Maja fan boy (that sounds creepy coming from a 42-year-old, doesn’t it?)… It doesn’t really matter, the pass was badass.
Emily was leading going into the final rock garden and she took my normal line. I decided to take the other line to the left and just let go of my brakes and went for it! It paid off. I got a gap right there and that was enough. I’m so proud of myself. It was the best decision I made today. – Maja Włoszczowsk
Despite starting 2012 with that opening round win at Pietermaritzburg and a 3rd place at round two in Houffalize, Maja’s 2012 luck ran out with a horrific ankle break that would keep her out of the Olympics and sidelined for the rest of the year. In 2013, Włoszczowsk moved to the Giant Pro XC team bounced back with several UCI XCO podium spots including a silver medal at the 2013 XCO World Championship.
Also, big credit to Emily Batty here too. She also, went out of her comfort zone on the rocky descent in order to try to maintain her lead, it just didn’t work out.
Passes… every race has them, without them it wouldn’t really be racing. I’m looking forward to seeing more passes in 2014 and I imagine I’ll also even be doing some passing of my own (by that I mean getting passed by most of the Vet/Expert class in my local XC race series).
Full replay of the Women’s 2012 UCI XCO race in Pietermaritzburg race can be found at RedBull.TV.
Photo: Darren Goddard/Gameplan Media
Video: Posted by razorree on YouTube, via Red Bull TV UCI video coverage
Quote: Cyclingnews.com, March 17, 2012