Eventful 20km C Mst concludes Lillehammer World Cup 2022
Dec 04, 2022·Cross-Country
Pål Golberg (NOR) has had a dream start into the season wtih 3/3 podium spots at the World Cup opener in Ruka (FIN), the previous weekend. On home soil, the Norwegian shifted agian into top gear with all eyes on the podium.
The men's 20km C Mst kept the leading group large and together for a long time. Golberg paced up front in exchange with Hans Christer Holund (NOR), Sjur Røthe (NOR), Mattis Stenshagen (NOR), Jens Burman (SWE) and others. The master plan of Andrew Musgrave (GBR), to be double poling on skate skis - seemed to work out well for the World Cup elite skier that frequently races in long-distance competitions as well and is strong double poling. However, the course track turned out not to be suitable for this tactic and Musgrave had to give in towards the end.
Step by step the leading group got smaller and Swedish U23 leader William Poroma took over the pace maker role and looked like he had a good day out on the course. In the end it was a group with almost thirty athletes starting out on the final uphill into the stadium when Pål Golberg stepped up front and did not let anyone take the victory off him.
By 0.9 seconds, Sjur Røthe could not quite catch Golberg but took in the second place before Martin Nyenget Løwstrøm, who celebrated his 5th individual World Cup podium.
Another exciting Top 10 performence was done by Swede Eric Rosjoe, who celebrated his first top-10 result, claiming the 8th place with just 2 seconds off the winner.
)
