Peta Mullens headlines a five-rider Hagens Berman Supermint squad at the Mitchelton Bay Cycling Classic that began on Sunday in Geelong. While the 28-year-old missed out on the podium, coming in fifth place, she was a constant figure at the front of the peloton in the action-packed second half of the 45-minute criterium.
"I live for this race," Mullens told Cyclingnews. "This is my favourite race of the year."
A five-time elite mountain bike national champion, Mullens has committed to racing a full road season in the United States with American-registered Hagens Berman Supermint squad. She's no stranger to UCI road teams, having been on contract with Wiggle Honda in 2014-2015, but has fully focused on the road. Her team's decision to kick-start their season with the Mitchelton Bay Cycling Classic, Santos Women's Tour and Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race provides Mullens with a mix of the usual and the unknown.
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"I'm not the only new person on the team, and we're all at very different points in our season," said Mullens. "For me, obviously I'm preparing for nationals. For the girls, they're just kicked off their season very, very early, but I think it's a good bonding experience for the team."
"It's nice to come out here when there is no pressure on anyone," she added. "We have a good time. For me, it's nice. I feel like I'm at home while in a new environment."
Two years ago, Peta Mullens won arguably the hardest day of racing at the Mitchelton Bay Cycling Classic, soloing to victory in Portarlington. Exactly one week later, she earned her first national road title. Mullens is hoping to parlay a criterium series season start into green and gold glory once again.
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