cycling
Mountain biker Mona Mitterwallner has already made it onto the podium in her second cross-country world cup in the elite class. The 20-year-old Tyrolean finished third in Albstadt, Germany, on Sunday.
Only Rebecca McConnell from Australia, who was also successful at the season opener in Brazil, and Jenny Rissveds from Sweden, Olympic champion at the Rio Olympics, were faster. Mitterwallner’s Tyrolean compatriot Laura Stigger was sixth.
The lightweight Mitterwallner, who is a strong climber, put in a strong performance on the custom-made course from the 23rd starting position in the short-track competition. She didn’t get close to the top duo, but the Tyrolean finally had the Tyrolean confidently under control of last year’s dominator Loana Lecomte (FRA), who rode with her for a long time, and everyone else. McConnell won by a wide margin, Mitterwallner was exactly one minute behind and Rissveds was twelve seconds ahead of her.
Stigger back in the lead after a fall
Stigger, who fell in the short race on Friday, also achieved another top result after fourth place in Brazil. She was more than three minutes behind the winner. Mitterwallner finished fifth in the first race of the season in the Olympic discipline.
Accordingly, both Austrians are also at the top of the overall World Cup rankings, which McConnell clearly leads. Mitterwallner, who won in series in the U23s last year, is third, Stigger is only three points behind her in fourth place. It continues next weekend in Nove Mesto (CZE).