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

[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!