Dahle-Flesjaa back on top at La Bresse World Cup

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Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesjaa (Multivan Merida) raced to victory at the fourth round of the 2012 UCI Mountain Bike World Cup in La Bresse, France on Sunday. Dahle Flesjaa assumed the race lead on the final descent, overtaking eventual runner-up Katerina Nash (Luna). Julie Bresset (BH-Suntour) rode in for third place. It was Dahle-Flesjaa's first World Cup win since 2008 and her 27th career total. It was also her first World Cup win since having a baby.

Dahle Flesjaa won by being patient on a technical course on which many riders crashed out of contention.

"I can't really believe this," said an incredulous Dahle-Flesjaa to Redbull.tv. "I was focusing on not going over my limit. You need so much power and concentration on this course. I had a very good race. I paced myself. The course is great. It was tough up and tough down."

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The women delivered a super exciting race on a technical course with regular lead changes as they took turns crashing at various points in the race. They raced in front of huge crowds.

After rain overnight made the already technical downhills even more muddy and slippery, the riders were greeted with a hot sunny race day. The 4.8-kilometre circuit consisted of a long, steep singletrack climb and a technical downhill, so riders needed to be both skilled and very fit.

Dahle Flesjaa led out the women's race through the start loop and then stayed in touch with a changing set of leaders.  Nash took the lead on the first climb, and was joined by World Cup leader Bresset. World champion Catharine Pendrel (Luna) bridged up to them and attacked, with Nash dropping back to join Dahle Flesjaa.

About mid-way through the five-lap race, Pendrel crashed heavily on the descent. Bresset was unable to avoid her and endo-ed. Nash and Dahle Flesjaa got around both women. Nash took over decisively at the front as the crash seemed to slow the momentum of both downed riders. Pendrel struggled to get her chain on afterward while Bresset tried to get her seat back to a level position.

Meanwhile, Dahle-Flesjaa, one of the most experienced racers out there, bided her time and rode steadily forward. By the final lap, she was in second place behind Nash. The Czech star looked comfortable and likely to win, but two crashes on the final descent opened the door for a smooth riding Dahle-Flesjaa, who overtook Nash en route to the victory.

With this World Cup win, Dahle-Flesjaa moves within one win of all-time top women's World Cup winner Juli Furtado.

"Everyone is talking about the Olympics, but we have other big races, like today. If I want to fight for a gold in London, I have to be superb. I'm on the right path, and we'll see what happens in London," said Dahle Flesjaa.

Bresset dropped Pendrel by a few seconds to take third and pad her lead in the World Cup standings, with a very muddy Maja Wloszczowska (CCC Polkwice) taking the final podium spot.

Bresset retains her lead in the World Cup, with 750 points to Pendrel's 690, followed by Wloszczowska at 670.

Race note

Former World Champion Irina Kalentieva (Topeak Ergon) skipped the race, instead choosing to do altitude training in preparation for the Olympic Games.

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