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Mikael Gunnulfsen was the big surprise in Saturday’s 15 kilometers in Beitostølen. Then he came with a little stab at the running backs of the national team.
BEITOSTØLEN (Nettavisen): The 15-kilometer men’s classic during the season opening in Beitostølen was characterized by unpleasant snowy weather and windy storms in the molds.
The best in the demanding conditions was, surprisingly for many, Team Telemark’s Mikael Gunnulfsen. And unsurprisingly, the sun reappeared as the 27-year-old went to the finish line to win.
Gunnulfsen entered the time 37.46.80, and that was enough to win, 27.3 seconds ahead of Johannes Høsflot Klæbo. Hans Christer Holund was third.
It was an excited Gunnulfsen who spoke to NRK right after the end.
– There is a lot of excitement in sport, that’s right. This is a dream. I feel like people are badmouthing Beito and the national team is skiing, but I care so little. If I win this, Beito can be as small as he wants. This is very important to me, Gunnulfsen told the channel.
Several elite athletes Nettavisen spoke to earlier this week stated that they wanted to save their best boats due to the danger of gravel on the trail at Beitostølen.
– The best are at the beginning. I’m sure both the seventh and eighth best pair are better than mine. I see it in such a way that we are on equal footing, and biting into the elite here is huge, Gunnulfsen continued.
It was lit by statements from the national team
When he spoke to Nettavisen a few minutes later, Gunnulfsen was at least as tall. He understands that the opening of the World Cup in Ruka is reserved for runners of national teams, but he has no doubt that he could have done well.
– When you win by 28 seconds in Beitostølen, I think you can go pretty fast in Ruka y. We know those spots are reserved for runners of national teams and we identify with that. “I was silly yesterday that if we win by 45 seconds then it can be considered, then I won’t be in the evaluation as I was only 28,” Gunnulfsen tells Nettavisen.
He does not hide the fact that the statements of the national team athletes about the race in Beitostølen worked well as motivation for him before Saturday’s race.
– It has enlightened me a little, it has. Yesterday I saw that there were some articles where they killed their skis, and they had to go with slightly worse skis. At Team Telemark we are fighting the rest, and it is difficult to achieve that, he says.
Nossum powerfully impressed
National team coach Eirik Myhr Nossum confirms to Nettavisen that he really liked what he saw of Gunnulfsen.
– I’m very impressed, very, very impressed. I’m not surprised, but impressed. I had it in the back of my mind and during the fall here. I have heard rumors and have seen a few times if he has complied, so it is not surprising.
– Is it then relevant to the opening of the World Cup in Ruka?
– I answer as usual that it is basically reserved for elite runners. What you get from being on the national team is that you don’t necessarily sprinkle the form here, but you look forward to the World Cup. It takes nothing away from what Mikael does, that is, says Nossum, that he thinks Gunnulfsen should bet on five miles on the toilet.
Krüger responds to criticism
Simen Hegstad Krüger, who finished sixth, moved to the congratulations line after the finish.
– Offers a canonically strong breed. Even if weather conditions come into play, he gets a fair amount of weather too. Today is a very good ski race, and it is impressive, Krüger tells Nettavisen.
Faced with Gunnulfsen’s statements about the reduction of Beitostølen after the goal, Krüger says the following:
– Beitostølen is an important ski race. It should not be lowered, and it is one of the tracks, outside of the World Cup, that has more prestige and a higher level. It is clear that for those riders who are prepared for the next weekend, it is more important to have a good race. Earlier this week, there was quite a bit of rock on the trail here, and if you have a pair that you know works well, it’s hard to screw it up. But with the snow that came here today, I don’t think anyone saved the skis, says Krüger.
Klæbo: – Impressive
Johannes Høsflot Klæbo was also impressed by Gunnulfsen’s performance.
– He’s impressive, but we know he’s in good shape. He has proven it in some test races that we have heard rumors about. There are many who go fast, and he is one of those we know. It’s fun to watch him pull it off. We have to take our hats off to that, while the rest of us have to look at what we are going to do in the future, Klæbo tells Nettavisen.
Klæbo also claims that Beitostølen is an important competition for national team riders as well.
– No way will I stand up and speak ill of Beito. If he had chosen between Beito and Ruka, there would be no question. You can’t even compare it, but for me Beito is very important. I’m doing what I can to get some good races before what happens next weekend.
The season opening weekend in Beitostølen ends with a 15-kilometer free technique for men and a 10-kilometer free technique for women on Sunday.
Check the results of Saturday’s 15-kilometer race here.
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