In a muddy battle

Mitterwallner rode to European Championship silver, just like last year

Mountain biker Mona Mitterwallner has won European Championship silver in cross country, just like last year. The Tyrolean was 1:11 minutes behind winner Puck Pieterse after a rain and mud battle on Sunday in Cheile Gradistei, Romania. 

The Dutchwoman successfully defended her title. World champion Pauline Ferrand-Prevot (FRA), who had long been on course for a medal, retired after a crash. Germany's Nina Benz (+2:14 min.) took bronze in a field that was not at the top.

Mitterwallner fell in the penultimate lap on slippery rocky terrain in the same place as Ferrand-Prevot, but was able to continue. The marathon world champion had a good start to the Olympic season in difficult conditions. The 22-year-old missed the first two World Cups in April due to illness. The next World Cup is scheduled for the end of May in Nove Mesto.