HOME FOR CHRISTMAS

Some very well executed weeks of training here in the warmth are coming to an end, and we’re preparing for our return home. It’s going to be a cold transition coming home again, but still a very enjoyable and much longed for Christmas celebration with our family.

WINTER TRAINING IN SUMMER WEATHER

Snow and icy temperatures have been replaced with sun and summer. We’re well underway with our winter training and we’re spending the period of basis-training on the Canary Islands.

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A FANTASTIC SEASON OF 2011

We can now look back on an incredibly exciting season, with top results and a good feeling. Now we’re all set to start placing stone upon stone in the build-up towards an unforgettable Olympic season of 2012.

EUROPEAN CHAMPION CROSS COUNTRY

It was an utterly unforgettable and amazing experience becoming European Champion in cross country riding again. The way back to the top has been long, tough and very demanding, but victory naturally tastes particularly good under those conditions.

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UPS AND DOWNS IN CYCLING

An exciting and demanding period now lies behind us, and we have many experiences to look back on. The Gunn-Rita Marathon and World Championships were a powerful experience, even though we didn’t achieve the results we had hoped for. The gold medal in the Norwegian Championships last weekend was a big victory for both Kenneth and me.

DEMANDING DAY AT OFFENBURG

This third race in the World Cup at Offenburg was no easy experience for me. Despite starting as number 13, I was hoping for a better result, considering how I’ve been feeling this past week. I ended up number 29 and that is simply not good enough.

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GUNN RITA MARATHON – GREAT CYCLING EXPERIENCES

I have a small dream that some day we will count a large number of Norwegians at the Gunn Rita Marathon in Italy, both as supporters and as cyclists. Maybe it’ll become like Marcialonga on skis some day, only on bikes! On the 26^th of June, 2011, the race starts for the 10^th time, and this year the Marathon World Championship will follow the same tracks.

GREAT START TO WORLD CUP IN SOUTH AFRICA

I have many memorable experiences after one week in South Africa and it was definitely a positive stroke getting 12^th place in the World Cup opening in Pietermaritzburg. I’m already looking forward to the next race.

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HIGH SPEED DAYS ON LANZAROTE

2 weeks on my new Merida Reactor has worked wonders for my legs. Summer and sun on Lanzarote is also a great boost for us north-dwellers who normally have to dress up really warm for rides in March and April. Even so, I wasn’t able to take part in Dalby Forest today.

”CYCLING HOLIDAY” IN ITALY

Few things can compare with relaxing days next to Lake Garda, when the sun is shining and the crisp and clear spring air heightens the senses for the gorgeous natural surroundings. Sirmione, with its interesting history, is a real pearl for tourists in eyes, and ought to be experienced by bike.

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NEW PERSONAL SPONSOR

I have recently signed a contract with the Norwegian bank DnB NOR – most likely the final big sponsor contract of my career. Today is our first gathering of all the employees of the bank in this region, and we’re looking forward to it.

THE PERFECT BIRTHDAY PRESENT

At my age, birthdays aren’t always all that much fun to celebrate any more, but I have to admit that I do appreciate a suitable gift. This year I was handed three new bikes on the actual date of my birthday, and I also treated myself to a super-intense stint of intervals.

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WONDERFUL DAYS OF CYCLING ON LANZAROTE

The first cycling race of the year is finished and has awakened my appetite for more, despite a somewhat weak foundation. We have completed three really good weeks of training here at Club la Santa on Lanzarote, and are very pleased to be on the go again.

A FIT NEW YEAR

And so we’ve started to write 2011, and hopefully an exciting and physically fit new year awaits us. Personally, I started the year well, with a light training stint on my bike after close to 2 months of sickness and complete lack of exercise. We’re leaving a tough period behind us and are looking towards new goals and challenges.

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