Climbing back to the top: The Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesjå diary

Norwegian cross-country mountain bike racer Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesjå is probably the best female rider this relatively young branch of the sport has ever seen. World champion in 2002, 2004, 2005, and 2006, plus Olympic champion in 2004, and rarely beaten in her reign as World Cup champion from 2003 - 2006, she has a breathtaking palmares. Unfortunately, Dahle Flesjå was sidelined for most of the 2007 season with a virus that left her with little strength and on a program of complete rest and recovery. With the constant support of husband and coach Kenneth Flesjå, she has been working her way steadily back to health - just in time to pursue her goals at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. Follow her exploits on Cyclingnews as she works to regain her form and position at the top of women's mountain biking in 2008. Or, for more Gunn-Rita, see her personal website: www.gunnrita.com

Latest articles by Climbing back to the top: The Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesjå diary

Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesjaa (Multivan Merida)

Busy days at home

By Climbing back to the top: The Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesjå diary Published

Finally back on Norwegian soil again, and it feels wonderful! It wasn't quite as wonderful to have...

Racing
Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesjaa (Norway)

No success at the Olympics

By Climbing back to the top: The Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesjå diary Published

It's tough having to drop out of the Olympics because of technical problems, but the disappointment...

Racing
Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesjaa on her way to a solo victory in the marathon World Championships.

Ready for Canadian World Cups

By Climbing back to the top: The Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesjå diary Published

The final test for me before the Olympics will be two World Cup races here in Canada. There are...

Racing
The women's peleton rolls out for the marathon World Championships

Winning worlds

By Climbing back to the top: The Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesjå diary Published

It was absolutely indescribable to put on the rainbow jersey once again. This World Championship...

Teams & Riders
Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesjaa (Norway)

Rough day at the World Championships

By Climbing back to the top: The Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesjå diary Published

A very demanding World Championship race track in 30 degrees (Celsius), meant a really tough day at...

Teams & Riders
The low-lying clouds are hiding the true height

Countdown 'til worlds

By Climbing back to the top: The Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesjå diary Published

Only minor adjustments remain for the final week before the World Championships . All races I've...

Racing
A little podium time for Gunn-Rita in St. Wendel.

Bronze medal at the European Championships – good as gold

By Climbing back to the top: The Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesjå diary Published

The battle for the medals was very tough at the European Championships in St. Wendel, Germany, last...

Racing
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Going hairless for the European championships

By Climbing back to the top: The Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesjå diary Published

For Kenneth, this has been a rather painful period leading up to the European Championships. Our...

Racing
Former World Champion Dahle Flesjaa goes to the front early

A return to the top

By Climbing back to the top: The Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesjå diary Published

The [Madrid World Cup] race was a fight right up to the very last metre. Blood, sweat and tears are...

Racing
Gunn-Rita next to the support vehicle of the Italian Merida team.

First off-road race

By Climbing back to the top: The Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesjå diary Published

My first confrontation with rough terrain this year was very demanding. A few slips and falls, plus...

Racing
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Gala ball at Castle

By Climbing back to the top: The Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesjå diary Published

It was wonderful taking part in this year's presentation of the Gunn-Rita Marathon, which took place...

Racing
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Great first race

By Climbing back to the top: The Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesjå diary Published

My very first race in almost 10 months tasted simply delicious. My encounter with the World Cup...

Racing
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Testing time

By Climbing back to the top: The Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesjå diary Published

Last Sunday [March 16 - ed] we went out and tested the new addition to the GunnRita Marathon race...

Racing
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Last day in Stavanger

By Climbing back to the top: The Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesjå diary Published

On Thursday morning we bid a final farewell to our apartment in Stavanger. Next time we come home...

Racing
Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesjå smiles at the team's press conference.

Sunshine in Mallorca

By Climbing back to the top: The Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesjå diary Published

From winter and freezing cold in Boulder to hot sun and summer clothing on Mallorca - the contrasts...

Clothing & Shoes
Gunn-Rita finds home away from home in Boulder for a few weeks of training.

Happy New Year from Boulder

By Climbing back to the top: The Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesjå diary Published

A brand new year lies before us, full of unimagined potential. It's up to us to realize many of the...

Racing