Some routines become a part of you to such an extent that they start coming naturally to you: Speeding up at the right moment, slowing down, accelerating to the maximum, barely losing balance or nerves… for as long as Gisela Maier can remember, motocross has been a part of her, “I’d risk the fall, just to know how it feels to fly,” she says laughing. Motocross is a man’s world. For a long time Gisela has been the only girl on the track alongside the boys. When all her friends were learning to ride a bicycle, the Apenburg-born girl was already taking part in regular race meetings. At the age of 7 she competed against 6 boys and won as the audience was going crazy as she fearlessly raced around bends.
Gisela is now unrestrainable. “The most important thing is to enjoy the sport,” says the experienced racer with confidence. “Otherwise, you won’t survive.” And because of the constant risk, training rides are also only completed in full gear: with helmet, goggles, neck guard, chest protector, back protector, knee pads, elbow protectors, gloves and boots. The jumps are the hardest, but also very impressive. “You always have to be sure you put your foot in the right place, then stand firm,” says the ardent sportswoman.
Rituals also provide support. Before a race many people say a quick prayer or put on their lucky charm. Gisela needs the start number 9. “Her” number. And family. Father Leon Maier gives his daughter a “high-five” when she goes on the track. It has always been like this, and the two continue the ritual to this day. “You cannot practise the sport without the support of family, without a team,” highlights Gisela. Before every race her heart is racing. Finally the engines are turned on and the adrenaline pumps through her body. “After a race day you are completely exhausted, but incredibly satisfied”, she adds.
When I was 7, I won my first race, my family was very proud but most amazing was my dad’s reaction, he rushed to the tracks, lifted me off my bike and danced while he held me in air. It is by far my most prized memory,” says Gisela.At 6 years old the Gisela attended Aikido classes two to three times a week, practising the sport with a lot of ambition and discipline just like motorcross. Gisela still trains regularly today. The time for motocross and Aikido has decreased since finishing school; then came university with internships, a master’s in management and finally entering working life.
“It isn’t easy to manage a job and hobbies all at once,” she says. She not only heads her media department and manages international projects but also works creatively while managing an entire team of corporates.
Similar to motocross, she also has to be flexible while working and never lose sight of the objective. Gisela embodies her aspiration to motivate herself to achieve top performances and by enjoying what she does and excelling to the extent that her work never has to suffer. She uses every spare minute to train, not a second to waste.
An off-road bike is exposed to tough conditions and must be thoroughly cleaned after every trip. “In dry weather sand and clay leave their mark and most times you have to ride through the mud,” explains Gisela, who also gladly performs the technical checks herself. “Only when my motorbike is spotless am I able to ensure that everything is alright and only then I will be able to enjoy it for a long time.” Motocross racetracks are full of bumps, steep curves, bike ramps and hollows. The drivers jump as far as 30 metres, often at frequent intervals. A race is over after 20 or 25 minutes and two laps, and each competition consists of two races. It is not without reason that motocross is considered one of the toughest sports in the world.
To make sure that the bike is taken care of it needs to be cleaned thoroughly just after that race. With an army man as father and 3 elder brothers, Gisela has always had a disciplined life consisting of lots of play and competition. Every weekend as kids, they’d spend most their time assisting their dad in different chores like cleaning the garage or the bike.
“During my childhood my father always cleaned my motorbikes enthusiastically using a high-pressure cleaner. Years later when he’s much older, I do the cleaning using my Hubertt pressure washer, while he assists me now,” says Gisela chuckling. “ In my teenage, I took over and lost a bike to negligence. Now I have given all my cleaning responsibility to the Hubertt Pressure Washer, cleaning has never been easier ever since I started doing it,” she says with a smirk.