Longtime Maxxis-sponsored rider Gunn Rita Dahle-Flesjå achieved a historic milestone with her victory at the fifth round of this year’s XCO World Cup. Dahle-Flesjå is now the only female rider, and one of only two in cycling history, to win 30 World Cup XCO races. She took her record-setting victory July 15 after conquering the many steep climbs and 2000-meter elevation of Vallnord, Andorra.

Dahle-Flesjå started the race as a part of small chase group behind the leader. Pacing herself carefully, she stayed a few seconds behind until the fourth lap, when she joined the leader at the front. After attacking on the following lap, she took the front spot and held it through the finish, with a final time of 1:22:58.

“This is almost beyond a dream,” she told cyclingnews.com. “Of course, I have believed for many years that it is possible, but it is still awesome. I have to dedicate this 30th World Cup win to my sponsor Merida Norway, who are celebrating their 30th year. We have worked hard for this and I have a fantastic team; my husband is the greatest coach and training partner. In altitude, you can’t put the gas on too much; I think I used a lot of my experience; I have some years behind me! I had confidence from doing well here in races before. I saw that she [the leader] was starting to have stiff legs, and maybe she pushed too hard on some climbs.”

Maxxis has been proud to sponsor Gunn Rita Dahle-Flesjå during the many triumphs of her career, which have included Olympic Games, multiple world and European championships, and now, a record-setting 30 World Cup XCO wins.