Three-time Marathon MTB World Champion Mona Mitterwallner has made her first splash in road cycling, finishing second at the Grand Prix Féminin de Chambéry.
The 23-year-old animated the racing with many attacks on the rolling 119.4 km parcours around Chambéry, France, before finishing just over a minute behind winner Erica Magnaldi (UAE Team ADQ).
“I’m so happy and relieved,” she said after the finish. “It was a tough start to the season, and I came here with no expectations, still having jetlag and an illness from MTB in Brazil. It was a last-minute decision, but my coach [Callum McQueen] said I’m good to go, and I trust him, so I was surprised but super happy to get my first podium.”
Mitterwallner and teammate Barbara Malcotti were part of a five-rider breakaway that escaped 43 km from the finish. Attacks broke the group into a trio of Mitterwallner, Magnaldi, and Léa Curnier (FDJ – SUEZ) 25 km out. Magnaldi then made the race-winning move, chased by Mitterwallner, who would finish solo behind. Malcotti then held on for fourth place, outsprinting Greta Marturano (UAE Team ADQ).
“I did a lot of pace making today,” she explains. “I was feeling good on the climbs, and the first lap pace was insanely high, but by the second, it felt too slow suddenly. It was cool to race from the front, and then Clark [Sheehan] said, ‘give them some fire,’ and it worked.
The climber’s next goal will be the Vuelta España Femenina. After competing at the MTB World Series in Brazil with the Mondraker Factory XC Team and this podium, she heads into it with an ignited lease of confidence.
“It’s just what I needed before the Vuelta, and I’m looking forward to regrouping with the team in the week,” she says.
This year’s Vuelta has a wealth of climbing on the menu, a prospect that excites Mitterwallner.
“My climbing legs are showing up,” she jokes. “It was very punchy climbs today, so there were some spicy attacks and moves to chase, but now I can’t wait for the high mountains of the Vuelta, that’s what I’m looking forward to.”
Human Powered Health next race Ronde de Mouscron in Belgium on April 21, with Ruth Edwards also competing in the Pan American Championships in Uruguay from April 23. The team will then head fresh into the first Grand Tour of the season – Vuelta España Femenina – beginning May 4.
Grand Prix Féminin de Chambéry result
1 MAGNALDI Erica – UAE Team ADQ 3:27:05
2 MITTERWALLNER Mona – Human Powered Health 1:18
3 CURNIER Léa – FDJ – SUEZ 2:33
4 MALCOTTI Barbara – Human Powered Health 3:11
5 MARTURANO Greta – UAE Team ADQ ”
6 BLASI Paula – UAE Team ADQ 4:43
7 STIASNY Petra – Roland 4:49
8 SÖDERQVIST Karin – Massi-Baix Ter 4:58
9 LAING Nele – LKT Team 4:59
10 THOMAS Ségolène – St Michel – Preference Home – Auber93 WE 5:01
