A beautiful Mediterranean island, a spectacular and challenging course and a strong field of pro athletes: this Saturday it’s showtime at Challenge Mallorca.
Among the women, most eyes are on two Swiss and two British athletes. Representing Switzerland is Nicola Spirig, who won Challenge Gran Canaria and the European Championship at Challenge Walchsee earlier this season. In addition, she also took part in her fifth Olympic Games in Tokyo. Her compatriot Imogen Simmonds will undoubtedly also do everything in her power to finish on top of the podium, perhaps even more so after she was overtaken by Anne Haug in the closing stages of Challenge St. Pölten and watched the gold medal slip past her.
As mentioned, the British women will also be strong, including Jodie Stimpson, who won Challenge Miami early this year. Fellow Brit, Lucy Hall, will be one of her biggest rivals as she aims to continue her podium streak (third at Challenge Salou, first at Challenge Budva). Other serious female contenders include Manon Genêt (FRA), Marta Bernardi (ITA), Alexandra Tondeur (BEL), Lena Berlinger (DEU) and Margie Santimaria (ITA).
In the men’s race, an exhilarating battle awaits Magnus Ditlev (DEN), Frederic Funk (DEU), Kyle Smith (NZL), Maurice Clavel (DEU), Thomas Davis (GBR), Ruedi Wild (SUI) and Collin Chartier (USA). The latter won Challenge Salou in style two weeks ago. The same goes for Ditlev, who proved to be the strongest athlete during Challenge Budva last weekend winning his first Challenge Family event. Frederic Funk is an athlete who is always strong but had a disappointing run at Challenge Salou after dominating the bike. He will undoubtedly want to make amends at Challenge Mallorca.
