Image: @crcyphoto
RIDER HIGHLIGHT:
MIA MANGANELLO KILBURG
Mia Manganello Kilburg is a 2-time Olympian in speed skating and a bronze medalist from the 2018 Olympics in PyeongChang. She has raced for DNA Pro Cycling since 2016 and will be competing in this year’s Salt Lake Criterium on July 16 and 17. Mia and her team are based in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Image: @cottonsox_photo
The two races of the 2021 Salt Lake Criterium were not shy of excitement. Day one at The Gateway was a fast, tight course with cobbles and very few moments to relax. It had been an aggressive first 40 minutes of the 60 minute race, with attacks and unfortunately some crashes. With 5-to-go our team’s sprinter, Maggie Coles-Lyster, got caught up in a crash and had to pull out. This made things even more interesting. Once I realized she wasn’t coming back into the race I knew it would be on me. I did my best to shake the legs out, take a gel and get ready to sprint. Luckily, I had the other girls on the team to rely on and somehow we were able to rally and get me on the third step! Ideally, we would have had the opportunity to put Maggie on the top step but I was honored to take the role and get us on the podium.
Image: @cottonsox_photo
Day two came fast after an exciting racing the night before. We changed our strategies going into this race. Even though our rockstar sprinter was able to lace up for day two, the team decided it would be me going for the win. I loved this course! It was a fun four-corner with a little hill to make things interesting in downtown Holladay. With a wide open flat finish we knew this would come down to a fast drag race. The team raced it beautifully and set me up perfect for the win. Unfortunately, I hesitated to jump early and I found myself just inches off the top step. Aside from placements on the day it was an amazing weekend and it’s moments like that, that keep you hooked and coming back for more.
Image: @cottonsox_photo
I look forward to getting back with the girls and racing our hearts out on home turf again. The field is going to be bigger and stronger than ever but I believe there’s nothing we can’t handle.
Interested in seeing more? Mia and the rest of the DNA Pro Cycling Team will be racing the Salt Lake Criterium race this Saturday and Sunday (July 16th – 17th). Take part in all the action crit racing has to offer and don’t forget to stop by at our DNA Cycling booth!