With three weeks to go until its November 5 kickoff date, the Baja Epic — a four-day cross-country race in northern Mexico — has finalized its route. The race will cover approximately 250 miles and include 24,000 feet of climbing. The race runs November 5-8.

The opening stage starts on the beach at the resort city of Rosarito and runs 65 miles to Santa Veronica, and includes 7800 feet of elevation gain.

Stage 2 is the longest day, and includes 81 miles as riders journey from Santa Veronica to Ojos Negros.

On day 3 riders overlap part of the Baja 1000 course as part of a 53-mile loop. The day starts and finishes in Valle de la Trinidad.

On the final day riders will start at the Wine village of Valle de Guadalupe and finish at Puerto Nuevo, a town known for its lobster.

Race organizers say that approximately 100 riders have registered for the race so far. For registration information, go to www.bajaepic.com.

Dahle Flesjå re-ups with Multivan-Merida
Norway’s Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesjå has inked a four extension with her team, the German-based Multivan-Merida, that will take her through the 2012 Olympics in London. Dahle Flesjå, the 2004 Olympic gold medalist, has ridden with Multivan-Merida for seven seasons.

In addition to Olympic gold, the Norwegian currently owns four world cross-country championships — more than any other elite woman in the sport’s history. Dahle Flesjå is second on the all-time World Cup win list with 26 victories, two shy of Juli Furtado’s 28. In addition, she is a three-time winner of the UCI marathon cross-country championships.

Now 35, Dahle Flesjå will switch from a hardtail to the Merida Ninety-Six full suspension bike for the lion’s share of her races.

Tostado, Kirkland win in Moab
Coloradans Josh Tostado (Bach Builders) and Jari Kirkland took solo wins at the 2008 Suzuki 24 Hours of Moab. Tostado, who hails from Breckenridge, sprung to an early lead ahead of Tinker Juarez (Monavie-Cannondale.com) and defending champ Chris Eatough (Trek-Volkswagen). Eatough abandoned after eight laps, and Tostado eventually lapped Juarez to finish with 17 laps, four laps behind the team winners Monavie-Cannondale.com.

Kirkland, herself a multiple-time Moab winner, seized the early lead after pre-race favorite Pua Sawicki did not start after catching the flu. Kirkland, who is also a seasoned adventure racer, maintained sub two-hour laps to hold a lead over second place Kris Cannon of Steamboat Springs, Colorado.