“The goal was a top 10 or top 5” – Niamh Fisher-Black and Mavi García reflect on a historic World Championships

The Kigali 2025 World Championships are already unforgettable for Spanish cycling. Especially after what happened this Saturday, September 27. First, Paula Ostiz took the gold medal in the women's junior race, and then Mavi García multiplied the ecstasy with a historic bronze medal in the elite race, making it three medals in the three women categories, after Paula Blasi got third in the under 23 race on Thursday.

The 41-year-old Mavi García is having a fantastic year, with a stage win in the Tour de France, but not even she expected to be fighting for medals in a race that featured superstars like Demi Vollering, Elisa Longo Borghini and Marlen Reusser, amongst many others. But the race was very unpredictable from start to finish, and Garcia read everything to perfection, getting the second medal Spain ever got at the women elite level after Joane Somarriba, who also finished third in 2002.

The big surprise was the gold medal won by Magdeleine Vallieres, who only had one professional win to her name before today (Trofeo Palma Fémina in 2024). But everything was formed by that group created after an attack by Mavi García when she was in a breakaway of 10 with Mireia Benito. In the end she was able to cross the finish line 3rd to give Spain its first medal in an Elite Women's World Championship in 23 years.

Speaking to the media after the race, Mavi Garcia began by revealing that her goal was by no means a medal. In the best case scenario she dreamed of a Top 5 finish.

"Since we started to open up a gap up front, I was already thinking that the work I had done was good. I didn't know what was going to happen. The only thing I wanted was for that breakaway to go forward no matter what. For me, the goal was the Top 10 or a Top 5, so my wish was for that breakaway to work," explained García.

"The truth is that I didn't have the idea that this group would be able to fight for the medals. On the last lap I just thought it was time to suffer. My head got a little weak in those final moments. My boyfriend, who is also my coach, always reminds me to suffer in those moments. So I thought about catching the ones in front instead of looking back," she added.

The Spanish team's strategy was perfect from start to finish. But the key moment came after Mireia Benito started to form the good breakaway thanks to her attack with just under 60 km to go:

"Everyone was important today. Mireia (Benito) being in front has caused, a little unintentionally, that the strategy was perfect. Then she made sure that the breakaway was stronger up front, and then I was able to make the attack."

"I loved this World Cup. I knew it was going to be a super experience because it was different. In the end you go far away from home, but you see another culture. We have enjoyed being here, walking around, seeing the people and how friendly they are. I liked it a lot," concluded García.

Niamh Fisher-Black also shared her thoughts after finishing in second and getting the first medal in New Zealand's history. "I am not really sure", she answered when asked whether she feels satisfied or disappointed. "Of course there is satisfaction, I think the strongest rider won today, because I could not keep up with her on the cobbles. I did what I could".

Fisher-Black believes it was one of, if not the toughest day of her life on a bike. "For sure. It was a super hard bike race, especially mentally, because there were a lot of laps. It was a bit of a strange race and I found it really really hard to keep switched on."

Finally, she had some words of appreciation for her country. "Sometimes I feel New Zealand is quite distant, but it is moments like these where I hear their support".