The young Austrian of the Cannondale Factory Racing Team launched the challenge for the opening stage of the Internazionali d'Italia Series, Pineta Sperane XCO on Saturday 18 March. “The opponents? Martina Berta is worth the podium in the World Cup”.
Source: press release
Mona Mitterwallner is a talent with few equals among the emerging athletes in the world of mountain biking, thanks to her extraordinary resistance, which also led her to conquer the marathon world title, and her ability to ride the bike.
Often, in her first World Cup season in the Elite category, it was her starting point, improved in winter thanks to a training program based on explosiveness. Strengthened by this new awareness and the second place conquered in the HC of Banyoles, in Spain, the young Austrian will be at the start of the opening stage of the Internazionali d'Italia Series 2023, Pineta Sperane XCO, with the aim of taking the first victory of the season .
On Saturday 18 March, the Cannondale Factory Racing Team athlete will be at the start of the Women's Open event in San Zeno di Montagna (departure at 11.45 shared with the U23 and Junior athletes). "Winter training went well, now I'm ready," said Mona Mitterwallner. – “I'm happy to have shown improvements since the first releases of the season. Now there's San Zeno: last year I got sick just before the race and I couldn't race. For this reason I can't wait to return to Monte Baldo, which has hosted some of my training sessions in the past".
In the opening appointment of the Italian circuit, the Tyrolean athlete will find Martina Berta, fresh from victory in the other HC appointment in Iberian land, the XCO of Internationales Chelva. “When I'm on the starting line I have only one goal in mind: to win,” explained the Austrian champion. – “Martina Berta is a very strong athlete: I'm sure she will be an important opponent for the podium also in the World Cup. Also Sara Cortinovis e Giada Specia they've improved a lot."
In love with Italy, Mona Mitterwallner also confirms this feeling in her roster at the Internazionali d'Italia Series, which also last year saw her conquer the Nals race. “Running in Italy is special, I have different sensations compared to other countries. I like Italy: I love competing, training and coming to your country on holiday. I played my first ever race in Italy, it's a bond with deep roots".
“Furthermore, the Internazionali d'Italia Series is synonymous with great races. Since I was a little girl I have aimed to win a leader's jersey of this circuit and to win stages. The routes are up to the level of the World Cup: technical, with challenging climbs and great fun”, concluded Mitterwallner.
The program of the first stage of the Internazionali d'Italia Series 2023, Pineta Sperane XCO, includes the Junior Men's race at 18, the women's competitions (Open and Juniores) at 10.00 and the Open Men's race at 11.45 on Saturday 14.00 March. On Sunday 19 March, the competitions reserved for the Masters and the youth categories Beginners and Students are scheduled.
