At the European mountain bike championship in Dohnany (Slovakia), it was harvest time for Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesjå’s long and consistent build-up for the first time. Like she used to do in her most successful times, she dominated the race right from the start and won with an advantage of 33 seconds over world champion Maja Wloszczowska.

«This is a very emotional moment», Dahle explained after her triumphal ride. «A lot of people did not believe in my comeback, and today I had the opportunity to prove that I am definitely back in the world’s top 10.» Starting this second half of the season with such a superior win at international championships is promising for the world championships due to be held in less than a month.

In the men's race Florian Vogel from Scott-Swisspower MTB Racing Team won the bronze medal behind Jaroslav Kulhavy and Julien Absalon. Thomas Litscher from Felt Ötztal X-Bionic Racing Team also won the bronze medal in the U23 category.