Klaebo conquers conditions to extend Tour de Ski lead

It was another Norway 1-2-3 in men’s cross-country skiing on Tuesday but there was only one name on everybody’s lips as the Tour de Ski continued in Oberstdorf, Germany.

Just two days after claiming the 10km pursuit in Val Mustair, Switzerland, Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo transitioned seamlessly to the time trial format over the same distance, making light work of tricky conditions on a faster course featuring fewer climbs.

With temperatures well above freezing and rain starting to fall, Klaebo was one of the few skiers to wear a hat, and the course was beginning to cut up by the time he was 44th out of the starting gate.

But while others lost time as the downhill sections became softer and slower and the edges of the tracks began to break up, the five-time Olympic champion looked increasingly dominant.

He was within two seconds of early pacesetter Ben Ogden (USA) at the first split and was the fastest by 8.7 seconds with the last of three laps to go.

“It was amazing,” said Klaebo. “It was a really tough race, but what they have managed to do with the conditions, and all the spectators here cheering for us, it was a nice experience."

At age 26, Klaebo is already out on his own with 14 Tour de Ski race victories.

“It’s a great start to the new year and now I think my season is complete – we’ll see what’s left.”

Compatriot Simen Hegstad Krueger attempted to pick up the pace but fell even further back to finish 12.4 seconds adrift in second place. “It wasn’t perfect, but it was a good race,” he said. “It was actually my first podium in an interval start classic so it was a milestone for me. I’m really happy to be able to do this today.”

Another Norwegian, Didrik Toenseth, was third, ahead of Sweden’s Calle Halfvarsson, who couldn’t keep up the pace after a fast start, and overall World Cup leader Paal Golberg, who faded badly on the final lap.

Now 37 seconds behind Klaebo in the Tour de Ski, Golberg and the other distance specialists will be looking to make up ground in Wednesday’s 20km pursuit freestyle.

“I expect a hard race tomorrow,” said Toenseth. “Six times around this loop, it’s gonna be rough so I have to go up to the hotel and rest.”

Click here for the full results from Oberstdorf.