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Dahle wins women's mountain bike gold medal
Norwegian Gunn-Rita Dahle led all the way to win the women's mountain bike cross country gold medal at the Athens Olympics on Friday.
Norwegian Gunn-Rita Dahle led all the way to win the women's mountain bike cross country gold medal at the Athens Olympics on Friday.
Dahle, who was the race favourite after winning all five of the World Cups she has started in this year, beat Marie-Helene Premont of Canada and German reigning world champion Sabine Spitz.
"It's really unbelievable," said Dahle after she jubilantly unfurled a Norwegian flag shortly after crossing the finish at the Parnitha Olympic course in north Athens.
"I never said to myself 'I am the best mountain biker of the world'. Now after my Olympic victory I dare to say, 'I am the best one of the world'.
Dahle, who has been unstoppable in competition this year, said he was under duress in the closing lap around the dusty, rocky course.
"It was very difficult. One lap before the end when I saw the hill I asked myself 'how will I get up there?' I managed, but my legs were hurting a lot."
Dahle admitted she panicked briefly after a crash early on the final lap.
"Afterwards, I couldn't use the small gear any more. For a moment I panicked and then I continued," she said.
The 31-year-old Norwegian completed the five-lap 31.3km course in one hour 56 minutes 51 seconds to beat home Premont by 59 seconds.
