Cross-Country, Women

Since 2002 the greatest mountain biker in the world had been Gunn Rita Dahle-Flesja, who had won the gold medal in 2004, and was World Champion in 2002, and 2004-06. She competed in Beijing but withdrew on the fourth lap of the six-lap race of 27 km. With her out Sabine Spitz (GER), World Champion in 2003 and runner-up in 2007, won the race easily. Spitz took the lead on the first lap, and eventually won by 41 seconds over Poland’s Maja Wloszczowska, runner-up at the 2004-05 Worlds. The bronze medal went to Russia’s Irina Kalentyeva, the 2007 World Champion. The race was held over a difficult course with drops, climbs and technical rock sections that broke apart the 30-rider field. The day was very hot and humid, and this and the difficult course led to only 18 riders finishing the race.