Blazer of trails/ Dunlap's title proves she's among elite in U.S.

Alison Dunlap is the best women's mountain biker on the planet. Her world cross-country title at Vail in September is proof.

Yet Dunlap, unlike the hordes of soon-to-be and current world champions who make stops in Colorado Springs, is far from a have-a- cup-of-coffee-at-the-Training-Center athlete.

There's no bolting for warmer climes to train, no leaving behind roots to hang with the fabled off-road crowd at Durango. When not competing on far-off continents, Dunlap is ours.

For those in cycling know, it's like having the female version of Lance Armstrong living in our own back yard.

That she's The Gazette's athlete of the year is a real no- brainer.

"I absolutely love Colorado Springs," said the 32-year-old Colorado College graduate, who was born in Denver. "It's a beautiful place to live and train. Everything about being a cyclist here is great."

Said the great cyclist.

The two-time Olympian - as a road cyclist in 1996, and as a mountain biker in '00 - secured her place among the best in U.S. history with her stunning win at Vail. Draped in an American flag just five days after the events of Sept.11, Dunlap pedaled across the finish line to become the first U.S. women's world cross-country champ since Durango's Ruthie Matthes in '91.

"I don't know how to express it," Dunlap said. "If you really work hard, anything is possible. It all came together on the biggest day of my life.

"There's a sense of confidence now. You have to live up to your reputation next year and beyond. I look at my (world championship) jersey every day. It gets me extra motivated."

Dunlap rested on her laurels - for maybe a day or two. On Dec.16 at Baltimore, she successfully defended her national cyclo-cross title for the fifth consecutive time. In Zolder, Belgium, on Feb.2- 3, she'll attempt to become the first U.S. woman to win a world championship in that discipline, which combines mountain biking and road-riding skills.

Nothing against Armstrong and his recent through-the-woods Nike commercial, but no other elite cyclist does so many things as well as Dunlap.

"I read a bio (at cyclo-cross nationals) that said I was the greatest name in U.S. women's cycling," said Dunlap, a bronze medalist at the world road championships in '94. "To even think that maybe I'm right up there, well, it's an honor."

That she's missed out on the big-bucks endorsement deals and the exposure saved for Armstrong in this country is OK with Dunlap. At home, where it's most important, she feels she's carved out a space as an admired and respected athlete.

"Within the general public, sure, I feel a little under- appreciated," Dunlap said. "Within the cycling community, I think I am appreciated, especially in Colorado. I think I'm a household name here. The support is so great. It's just great being home."

- Tim Spencer may be reached at 636-0250 or tspencer@gazette.com

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