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With the victory, Klæbo is just under half a minute ahead of Aleksandr Bolshunov in Sunday’s 15-kilometer freestyle start. Emil Iversen comes out again just five seconds behind the Russian.
Now Klæbo thinks he will be caught again during Sunday’s race. It is too great an advantage to be in a group behind him, the 24-year-old believes. So, it’s time for a proper speed drama on Ruka.
THE WINNING SMILE: It doesn’t look that good, but Johannes Høsflot Klæbo emphasized that he smiled under the bandage on Ruka. Here during the awards ceremony after the race.
Photo: EMMI KORHONEN / AFP
– Will puree
Klæbo “of course does not answer” to NRK’s question about whether Iversen will pull the chasing duo and ensure that Bolshunov saves energy in the search for Klæbo.
– But if I know him well, he will probably make a decent plan for that. Bolshunov is likely not happy with a second place, he will crush himself and then Emil will try to hold on, says Klæbo.
– We will have a discussion about it tonight. Maybe Emil can get the cheese (which the winner receives as a prize) today and help me tomorrow.
Coach Eirik Myhr Nossum is aware that this is the tactic:
– Bolshunov is close to the best freestyle riders in the world. Emil’s goal should be to get up on his back and try to be there as long as possible. And then Johannes goes his own way. Both Emil and Johannes aren’t so bad in the end if it ends up with it.
WINNING STICK: Johannes Høsflot Klæbo smiles wider in the middle, who here, along with Alexei Chervotkin (left) and Aleksandr Bolshunov, pose for photographers at the finish line in Ruka.
Photo: EMMI KORHONEN / AFP
– It was tough out there
Like the experts and other teammates, Nossum was deeply impressed by Klæbo’s performance on Saturday.
It was a bit of the way he won the 15km at the classic interval start. The 24-year-old took command from the first crossing point.
Several probably believed in a different promotion throughout the career. Because where everything had to be decided, in the final five-kilometer round, the Byåsen boy led by about ten seconds over Chervotkin, Niskanen, Iversen and Bolshunov, his four closest rivals.
Should I lose my temper and lose evenly in the end?
BIG IMPRESSED: Johannes Høsflot Klæbo, here for today’s 15 kilometers in Ruka.
Photo: Vesa Moilanen / Lehtikuva / NTB
Instead, the opposite happened. Klæbo increased the advantage to the elite away. It was never really exciting and questionable. A raw and superior victory. In fact, 15.2 seconds ahead of Russian Alexei Chervotkin and 18 seconds ahead of Alexander Bolshunov.
– I tried to open evenly and ski well. What I like the most is that I had no one behind. I was whispering alone and the war. I tried to get past the ones I caught. Great to get an interval start win again, sums up Klæbo.
– One of the best Klæbo achievements in history, said NRK commentator Jann Post.
– This is typical of a loner. He gets a small one to the face yesterday and then fights back today with a cannon run, his colleague Torgeir Bjørn added.
Iversen dissatisfied
Emil Iversen seemed to be in control of the last podium for a long time. But Bolshunov finished raw and snatched third place when he finished 1.8 seconds ahead of Trøndelag.
– I didn’t think I should screw it up. I’m not happy with the fourth, but happy with my position in the summary. It gets uphill, I have to get off the track too early. But it’s a good ski race, I’m struggling. But today is disappointing, although I will not push myself, says Iversen.
