Dahle Flesjå on her way back to competition

Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesjå is working her way back to full form after suffering a viral infection that kept her from competition for most of 2007. The multiple-time world champion is undergoing a tough work-out schedule at home in Stavanger before travelling to Boulder, Colorado, for a few weeks in January for more training.

"I have fully recovered and therefore am fully motivated. Although I cannot really train as much and at the same level of intensity as in previous years yet, I am still convinced that I will be competing for the podium within the world elite next season," said Dahle Flesjå of her situation.

She will return to competition in March 2008, after nearly a year away from the race circuit. As the reigning Olympic champion, the Norwegian is considered as one of the serious contenders at Beijing's Olympic Games, but she is still reluctant to put herself under pressure. "Thinking about medals does not make any sense yet at the moment. I guess I will be able to give a more precise estimate on my chances for the Olympic games by the month of May." said Dahle Flesjå

As Multivan Merida Biking Team's manager, Andreas Rottler is looking forward to Dahle Flesjå's return. "We are convinced that an athlete of Gunn-Rita's caliber will be able to catch up with the world elite quickly." After knowing her for many years, Rottler said, "She still is the big favourite for Beijing's Olympic games."

To read Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesjå's most recent diary entry, in which she describes her efforts to resume training, click here.