The cross-country skiing star from Norway couldn’t be beaten at the Tour de Ski on New Year’s Day either. Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo celebrated his 103rd World Cup success in the 20 km race in Toblach and continues to lead the overall ranking of the competition after four stops. This means that the dominant Norwegian has come a lot closer to a historic fifth overall victory.
Klaebo, who was only twelfth at the premiere of the controversial “Heat Mass Start” on New Year’s Eve, started with a lead of 45 seconds, turned it into over a minute and ended up 51.1 seconds ahead of his teammate Mattis Stenshagen, who secured second place in the classic pursuit race. In the finish for third place, Edvin Anger from Sweden prevailed with one ski tip ahead of the Italian Federico Pallegrino. The DSV starters had nothing to do with the decision.
Brugger and Notz in the top 30
As the best DSV starter, Janosch Brugger crossed the finish line in 25th place: “Things just aren’t going so well overall“, said Brugger in the ZDF interview.”If you can’t keep up, it’s just very tough.”
Teammate Florian Notz, on the other hand, was happy about the leap forward in the overall standings. “It was definitely an important race for the overall standings because you can move forward again. We succeeded“, said Notz, who was able to gain eleven places and is now 27th.”It was a good race today.“
Peter Schlickenrieder saw his athletes on the right track: “It was important for us that the individual athletes got into running.” And noted: “Our problem children remain.” This also includes hopeful Friedrich Moch, who was second overall two years ago, and reached the finish line in 55th place. His brother Jakob Elias (44th) was ahead of him.
Move to Val de Fiemme
On Saturday and Sunday, at the end of the Tour de Ski on the Olympic trails in Val di Fiemme, there will be a sprint and the final mass start to Alpe Cermis. Klaebo is unlikely to be intercepted.
The record world champion could be the first cross-country skier to win the Tour de Ski for the fifth time; so far he shares the record with the Swiss Dario Cologna.