French
DeutschBirkebeinerrittet
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Birkebeinerrittet (lit. The Birkebeiner cycling race) is a long-distance mountain bike cycling race held annually in Norway. It is the world's largest mountain bike race in number of contestants.[1] In 2009, 17,164 riders signed up, and 15,140 cyclists completed the race. In 2023 the 30th edition will be held.[2]
The race
[edit]The race starts in Rena and ends at Håkons Hall in Lillehammer. Birkebeinerrittet is 84km[3] long along fire roads, with some paved and some single/dual-track segments.
The race has been held since 1993 and commemorates a trip made by the Birkebeiner loyalists to save the heir to the Norwegian throne, Håkon Håkonsson, in 1206. All participants carry a backpack weighing at least 3.5 kg, symbolizing the weight of the then one-year-old heir.
Past winners
[edit]Men
[edit]| Year | Name | Club/Nation | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Ole Hem |  Norway | 2:37:08 |
| 2021 | Eskil Evensen-Lie | Norway | 2:37:51 |
| 2019 | Eskil Evensen-Lie | Norway | 2:34:20 |
| 2018 | Erik Resell | Norway | 2:32:54 |
| 2017 | Erik Resell | Norway | 2:28:21 |
| 2016 | Åsmund Løvik | Norway | |
| 2015 | Carl Fredrik Hagen | Norway | |
| 2014 | Fredrik Wilmann | Norway | 02.33.18 |
| 2013 | Fredrik Ericsson |  Sweden | 02.41.17 |
| 2012 | Lars Ragnar Manengen | Norway | 02.43.24 |
| 2011 | Stian Remme | Norway | 02.54.45 |
| 2010 | Hannes Genze |  Germany | 02.57.04 |
| 2009 | Andreas Kugler |  Switzerland | 03.02.05 |
| 2008 | Anders Hovdenes | Norway | 02.40.50 |
| 2007 | Massimo De Bertolis |  Italy | 02.52.29 |
| 2006 | Lars Petter Nordhaug | Norway | 02.43.08 |
| 2005 | Thomas Frischknecht | Switzerland | 03.52.01 |
Women
[edit]| Year | Name | Club/Nation | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Borghild Løvset | Norway | 03.05.04 |
| 2013 | Borghild Løvset | Norway | 03.12.38 |
| 2012 | Pia Sundstedt |  Finland | 03.06.42 |
| 2011 | Pia Sundstedt | Finland | 03.08.26 |
| 2010 | Pia Sundstedt | Finland | 03.19.45 |
| 2009 | Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesjå | Norway | 03.27.02 |
| 2008 | Pia Sundstedt | Finland | 03.09.06 |
| 2007 | Pia Sundstedt | Finland | 03.24.43 |
| 2006 | Pia Sundstedt | Finland | 03.08.32 |
| 2005 | Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesjå | Norway | 04.05.18 |
External links
[edit]See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Birkebeinerrittet is the world's largest cross country bicycle race with 18.000 participants Archived August 6, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Birken | Birkebeinerrittet celebrates 30 years". Birken. Retrieved 2023-05-15.
- ^ "Birken | Cycling". Birken. Retrieved 2023-05-15.