Rivals

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I washed my face, placed my Adidas glasses in my hair and waited for my name to be announced
“And the second place - Maaaleeenee Deeegn, Ghost Factory Racing”
I went out in the spotlight and found the 2nd step of the podium. Got an applause that made a warm river of happiness running through me and waited for them to continue; 
“And today’s winner - Sinaaa Freeeeeei, Ghost Factory Racing”.
​Sina entered the stage, and with a smile on my face and a glimpse of frustration in my eyes I looked at her standing on the top of the podium. Both Sina and I went all out those last 100 meters to win. But Sina draw the longest straw with just a few centimeters. Damn. But damn that girl is good. Or more accurate; Sina was 10 centimeters better than me that Saturday in Nove Mesto. ​

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Let me take you a few weeks back. I entered round 2 of the World Cup in Albstadt as current leader. I never experienced this before, having the no. 1 on my numberplate and being called up to the startline with all eyes on me. I was quite surprised how easy and uncomplicated it felt on the startline. I didn't know how I would react so I was ready to deal with everything my mind could come up with. But I’m pretty sure there was a reason why it felt so easy; Just as I found my position on the line Sina rolled up on my side. As we stood there in our white kits (World Champion and World Cup leader) we were not just 1 and 2 in the ranking we were teammates and we were ready to fight that slippery course, together. The start gun went off and 4 laps, of sliding around, later I rolled over the finishline in 3rd spot. It felt so good to stand on that podium one more time. Ones the doping control was finished Sina and I went out to find some lunch together and talk about the crazy race. ​A race she won btw.

We almost flew right into our team manager, Tom, and gave him a double high five, followed by a big hug between us. 

Nove Mesto came close quickly and suddenly race day was upon us. After last weekend's race we were still sitting 1st and 2nd overall, with close points between the top three. So it was for sure an exciting race ahead. The track in Nove Mesto, was compared to the previous years, made a bit shorter and therefore faster.  Beside the forest-part there was a longer flat asfalt section where Sina and I had talked about how we possibly could help each other out.
Shoulder by shoulder we stood again on the startline, gave knuckles to each other and the race started. In the race we kept contact all the time and tried to control the race as much as possible, and help each other when we could. After 4 laps of that we entered the last lap. Sina was in my wheel,  it was only the two of us left out there and we both tried to put the hammer down. But we were so equal. Our wheels was constantly side by side. It hurt so bad, but on the same time it was so much fun. . So when we entered the stadium for the last time Sina was in second position and me in the front. The sprint started and we attacked with everything we got, pushing the bike in front of us as we made it to the finish line, only to find out that Sina crossed the line a few centimeters in front of me. We almost flew right into our team manager, Tom, and gave him a double high five, followed by a big hug between us. Sina had her quiet, but proud smile on and I, of course, started to talk about what just happened and how amazing that was, as we walked together to the podium. ​

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No doubt we both wanted to win that sprint, but a good thing about cross country mountain biking is that it's a fair sport. The best on the day wins. It take's power, mental strength, preparation, skills and luck. And we both know that, so when I win, Sina respects it and she is happy that I made all those things come together and vise versa. So when I said there was a bit of frustration in my eyes, don't take it badly, it is what makes sport fun and whats set my soul on fire. Motivation is the word.  

You know the saying that real queens fix each other's crowns? I stick to that ​

By pushing each other's limits and being each others biggest rivals - we rise and grow, because we rise by lifting others. 
So I'm more than happy to have my biggest rival as my teammate. We're having a great time on and off the bike, and that is for sure something special. I don't take it for granted that Sina and my relationship is this cool. It's a relation that goes both ways. We make each other better.
You know the saying that real queens fix each other's crowns? I stick to that 

..But it's not like me and Sina hasn't been out in the battlefield before. In 2014 as juniors we raced against each other in every race, and I'm not even kidding when I tell you that we had the exact same sprint finish that year, and it turned out.. exactly the same way .. Hah 
We laughed quit a bit about that. (scroll down to see a bit down the memory lane)

For those who asked me this weekend, and what actually got me inspired to write this - how it is between us? Respect, fun and good sportsmanship are a pretty good combination.
Oh girls just wanna have fun' 

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Find us!

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Thanks for reading 

​/Malene