"If you race, you’ll return!!"

Natalia Fischer (TBellès-Cannondale GAES by Sural) is the 2017 Spanish MTB Marathon (XCM) champion and was third in the first edition of GAES Catalunya Bike Race presented by Shimano. She led the 2018 Andalucía Bike Race presented by Shimano, withdrawing due to hypothermia. Andalusian with Swiss origin, she comes from triathlon and an injury made her become a cyclist.

Expectations…

This new edition has a completely new face, it will run through different terrains and is technically more “feasible”, but at the same time very hard because of the climbing. It will be the end of the season and I don’t know how I’ll feel, but I can say that I’ll face it with great enthusiasm.

Your contenders...

Both Clàudia Galicia and Hildegunn Hovdenak, last edition’s first and second, are two very complete mountain bikers and with lots of experience, but I will try to do everything possible to be in front, giving it all.

How do you face the race...

I don’t know the area, so it will be a surprise for me, but as I usually do in all MTB stage races, I‘ll pace myself in the first stage and that will serve me as a test.

Do you like GAES Catalunya Bike Race presented by Shimano for...

Without a doubt for the land, the landscapes, the people... You have to come and I'm sure you'll retun!!

Tips for a MTB stage race...

What I value most is the recovery between the stages, it’s key stick to a routine. It’s also important to know yourself, not to overcome your limits on a stage so that you don’t pay it the next day.