Why would a man assume he was automatically a better cyclist?

[ny biker]

Could be trash talk. Trash back at 'em, I say.

[7rider]

I'm going to be doing the bike leg of a relay team for a local tri this weekend. It's a women's only race. A friend of mine is doing the whole thing. She found out what my goal was for a time for the course, and she told ME she's gunning for me, and her only (new) goal is to beat my time!
So....
It's not just men.
Yes, there is a margin of trash talk.
If a guy says he's gunning for you next year, smile and say "Yeah?? Good luck. You'll need it!" And saunter way, happy in your accomplishment!

[Wahine]

I can often be ahead of some of the boys and I have to say that more often then not they are very supportive. When they do tell me they're "gunning" for me it's to say that A) They find me motivating and B) they are actually trying to motivate me back. The guys I ride with want nothing more than for me to kick azz and especially kick other male azz.

Now, I have to bring up another side... how many of us in a race will not chase a man if he passes us but will get spurred on if we get passed by a woman. I know that I'm guilty of that. If they aren't my competition on the podium... why should I care? On some level I think that I assume that a man should be faster than me, he has advantages after all. But isn't it just as bad to think that way as it is for a guy to assume that he should be faster?

[Mr. Bloom]

I suspect that their smack talk was less machismo and more a form of flattery intentionally directed at you. I think you should see it as a compliment and wallow in it.

Congrats! Well Done!

[OakLeaf]

Now, I have to bring up another side... how many of us in a race will not chase a man if he passes us but will get spurred on if we get passed by a woman.

I think I'm the opposite! In mass start foot races anyhow - haven't done a TT or any type of bike race in over 25 years. If a woman passes me, I just figure she's fitter than I am, and probably sort of mentally give up. If a man passes me, well, why was he behind me to begin with? If I'm paying attention to my legs and HRM and I know I didn't go out too fast (and if he's not running way faster than I am), then I ought to have enough to stay ahead of him!