Only Bolshunov interferes with the Norwegians at Ski Tour 2020
Feb 16, 2020·Cross-Country
The second stage of the Ski Tour 2020 in Östersund started with the mens 15km pursuit in Classic technique. Yesterdays winner, Sjur Roethe (NOR) started together with Simen Hegstad Krüger (NOR) 17 seconds before the runner-up group – consisting of four Norwegians and Alexander Bolshunov (RUS).
4km into the race, the group caught up with the leaders and Paal Golberg took over the head of the group, alternating the pace setting position with Hans Christer Holund and Alexander Bolshunov and Hans Christer Holund.
Around 10km into the race, the successor groups connected and Iivo Niskanen (FIN) who started with bib number 27 and a gap of 1:08 minutes took the lead. Dario Cologna (SUI) made up some time from his starting position in 19th place and help to drive the leading group of the successing team as well as Erik Valnes from Norway.
In the meantime, Paal Golberg shifted up the gear and managed to get a snap of a break between him and following Bolshunov. Heading into the final lap, it seemed like Golberg, Bolshunov and Roethe were clearly in charge of the lead when 27 year-old Norwegian Martin Loewstroem Nyenget broke away from fourth position for the final run down into the stadium. Nyenget crossed the finish line for the first time in a top-3 position in the World Cup in third place right after Alexander Bolshnunov in second and Paal Golberg in first place.
Federico Pellegrino defended his point leader bib by racing the fastest time from the start to the intermediate point.
Paal Golberg (NOR)
„I knew it was going to be a tough race but my shape today was really good. I thought that the most important today was to keep a steady pace and not to let the others to go into my game."
Alexander Bolshunov (RUS)
„For sure I would have been 100% happy if I would have won today. It was a good start of the tour and there are still some competitions ahead with the main race in Trondheim where it will be most important to be in the lead. Yesterday I wished to do more but todays race was much more important. There was not much tactical work in todays race but a high speed from the beginning. I have no expectations yet from the sprint because I never raced such a course.“
Shortly after the mens grand final, the women were all set for the 10km pursuit in Classic style. In a short time, the weather and conditions changed from a dry but fast course to a wet, snowy and slower track.
Therese Johaug (NOR), who headed into the race with a margin of 46 seconds had to fight through the course as a lone warrior. Heidi Weng (NOR) and Ingvild Flugstad Østberg (NOR) had to fight for the best spots in the following group with Swedish U23 racer Ebba Andersson. The young Swede took a lot of the pace setting onto her account but lost the final stretch towards the finish to Weng (2nd) and Flugstad Østberg (3rd).
The 30 second gap to the next round of athletes could also not be caught up by Anamarija Lampic (SLO) who advanced from yesterdays 16th position to the fifth rank and led the succession group. The point leader bib was taken by Frida Karlsson from Sweden.
Therese Johaug (NOR)
„I am proud of myself today because it was a hard race with all the snow that was falling. I am happy to be in the first place but also that Heidi and Ingvild is with me on the podium. With all the snow that was falling it was tough but that is part of the game. I am looking forward to come to Åre and see how the sprint is there as we have heard a lot about it.“
Heidi Weng (NOR)
„I am looking forward to come to Trondheim and the spectators. I feel better and better and took it step by step so I am really happy now.“
Ingvild Flugstad Østberg (NOR)
„(Going with the train) is a new way of going to the competitions so I am looking forward to try this out. I am looking forward to see the the course in Åre. Sprint skating has been my worst competition this season but I hope to qualify and make the last part of the race so we will see if it fits the sprinters or allrounders best.“
