Cynisca Cycling
Fiona Mangan
Fiona Mangan
Ireland 
HOMETOWN: Limerick
DOB: 16 May 1996
Hailed a trailblazer in her homeland’s media, Fiona became the first Irish woman to complete one of cycling’s Grand Tours – La Vuelta Femenina 2023.
Fiona began racing bikes at the end of 2020 after playing Gaelic football for most of her life. She and her dad joined a local bike club, who took her under their wing and taught her how to race. She quickly realized her love for racing that brought out her competitive side in the best way. She enjoys both the tactical and suffering side and that she is continuing to learn so much in this sport.
Fiona previously raced for the UCI continental teams Soltec and IBCT.
She has brains behind the brawn as well. Fiona has a Bachelors in Biomedical Engineering at National University of Ireland, Galway including a one year school exchange at Georgia Tech in Atlanta.
Follow her on Instagram: f_mangan
SCROLL down for Q&A …
Q&A with Fiona:
What inspires you?
People who are driven to be the best version of themselves and do so gracefully and kindly. I love meeting people who are passionate about something and seeing how their eyes light up when they talk about it.
What do you consider your strengths in cycling?
I love long hard races and especially if they include technical terrains. As I progress, I realize I also have good endurance over long stage races and enjoy the different terrains that these can bring day by day.
What do you consider your strengths off the bike?
I am very focused in what I do and I give everything to the cause. I think I am also quite a positive person and see light in every situation that is thrown at me.
What do you like to do when not training/racing? Hobbies?
I love reading and going for long walks with friends. I also love learning new quirky foods and recipes.
What are your goals?
To develop fully into a worldtour rider and be a competitive, strong, well rounded rider in the worldtour peloton. Eventually I would love to win a stage of on the Grand Tours.
Where is your favorite place to ride?
Tauves in France at my family home and also in Limerick in Ireland with my local club.
Any advice to younger girls who want to get into bike racing?
To learn from all the people around you who are bike racing and spend time with cyclists, and enjoy the feeling of riding on different roads.
What music do you listen to on your trainer?
Everything – But I love Eminem, London Grammer and Twenty-one Pilots.
What is your super power?
I think I’m very adaptable with different talents, similar to a Wolverine superhero.
How long do you think you’d survive in a zombie apocalypse? Why?
I’d live forever as I’d contact Elon Musk to put me on one of his spaceships to Space.
Craziest thing you’ve ever done?
Volunteering on organic farms in the middle of the Thailand countryside.
Favorite snack on a long ride?
Potatoes
What would you like to look back and tell your grandkids you did?
That I never missed an opportunity and worked hard.