Gunn-Rita’s 30th World Cup sejr
Med en fantastisk karriere i bagagen, der inkluderer 29 World Cup sejre. 10 Verdensmesterskaber, 9 Europamesterskaber samt en guldmedalje ved OL i 2004, kan Gun-Rita se tilbage på en outstanding karriere, og hvor de fleste ville læne sig tilbage og gå på pension.
Men ikke den ukuelige Nordmand, også kendt i mountainbike sporten som "the grand dame"
Med en opad gående formkurve har det ligget i kortene at World Cup sejr nummer 30 kunne være på vej.
World Cup ruten i Andorra er meget afholdt af rytterne, selv og ruten er ekstra udfordrende på grund af placeringen højt oppe i bjergene.
Selvom Gun-Rita allerede i 2015 blev indehaver af rekorden af flest kvindelige World Cup sejre, blev fokus rettet mod at blive den første kvinde med 30 sejre. Med en 5 plads i Val di Sole, så Gun-Rita muligheden for at blive historisk med sin Wold Cup sejr nummer 30 på en af favorit ruterne i Andorra, og det lykkedes.
Her med Gunn Rita’s egne ord:
'I have worked long and hard for this 30th World Cup victory, and that makes it an even sweeter achievement. We are proud and happy...and of course, this gives a lot of motivation and confidence for the remaining part of the season.
I knew I was in good shape coming into this event, with lots of good training under my belt and a strong result at last weekend’s World Cup round in Val di Sole. I always performed well on the Vallnord course in Andorra. Altitude seems to suit me, even though I did not prepare in the high mountains before this event.
I had a fairly bad start but managed to get into quite a good position before the long technical downhill, keeping me out of trouble and in an ideal place to move even further up the rankings. I used my experience not to over pace too much in the demanding condition of altitude and high temperature. I did not stress and kept calm, even when Jolanda managed to temporarily gain some time on me in the 1st few laps.
We are so excited about finally have made the 30 and I have dedicated this victory especially to MERIDA Norway that is celebrating their 30th anniversary this year. But I would also like to send out a big THANK YOU to MERIDA International for still believe in me.
It was an extremely hard race, but the crowd in Andorra was amazing and pushed me hard.
I have a great team around me, great support from my coach and husband as always and I still love what I do.'
Et super race og en fantastisk præstation, efter alle disse år i toppen af verdens eliten inden for Mountain biking... Tillykke
A superb race and a fantastic achievement, after all these years at the top of the mountain bike sport –congratulations!!
Gunn-Rita kørte på sin BIG.NINE TEAM.
Du kan se et bredt udvalg af merida Big.Nine Team her: Merida