Between The Tape Pre-Nationals Update - Mary-Ann Moller
This weekend’s Aotearoa Crossfest in Christchurch will be where New Zealand’s cyclocross champions will be crowned for 2022!
One of the favourites for this Sunday’s Elite Women’s Race is Between The Tape rider Mary-Ann Moller - we caught up with her to see how she’s feeling pre-race.
How are you feeling heading into Nationals? How has your racing been going recently?
I’m feeling really excited to race at Nationals this weekend. My last two races at Huttcross haven’t been my best performances but I had been sick in the same week for one of them so I wasn’t expecting too much of myself.
You’re the highest placed rider from last year’s Elite Women’s National Championship taking to the start line in 2022.
What are your expectations for this weekend, and what sort of result are you hoping for?
I think what I’m most excited about for this weekend is racing some women I don’t know and racing some women that I haven’t raced before in this discipline. It looks like a super stacked field so the competition will be hot!
With that being said, I really have no idea how I stack up against the competition so I’m trying to remove any expectations on myself around placing.
I came 3rd last year (and have been wearing my medal around the house this week!), and of course I would love to be able to repeat that or do better. However if I don’t, I also know that doesn’t mean I’m worse than I was last year. I’m fitter and stronger and better at racing if I compare myself to last year.
So my only expectation of myself is to go out there and race my hardest and enjoy myself (the type 2 kind of enjoyment).
How can folks spot you out on course on the day?
People can spot me out on course as the rider repping a purple Huttcross skinsuit and with the cutest support crew (my two boys).
Photos: Header photo and photo 1 by @lisangphoto, photos 2 & 3 supplied by Mary-Ann Moller