Marit Bjørgen, Therese Johaug | Johaug has no doubts after seeing Bjørgen in training: Sure he can claim the World Cup

HOLMENEKKEN (Nettavisen): Bjørgen put the cross-country skis on the shelf in spring 2018, but the message came earlier this year that the veteran is making a comeback.

His plan is to focus on long-distance racing and now he has become part of Team Ragde Eiendom, along with brothers Anders and Fredrik Aukland.

Bjørgen is already on his way to training again and former national team colleague Therese Johaug is impressed by the 40-year-old.

– My impression is that it will go fast for the winter. It’s not even something to think about. He trains very, very well. It’s incredibly fun to see that you’ve found your way back to the way you did, Johaug tells Nettavisen.

She is confident that Bjørgen will do well in the long races she plans to run, but she also has no doubt that the veteran could have won the World Cup next winter.

– She had done well there too, says Johaug.

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– He sees that cross-country life is wonderful.

However, it is uncertain whether Bjørgen will be tempted by the World Cup. The online newspaper has tried to get a response from the 40-year-old woman, but has not yet responded to our query.

Johaug himself is hesitant to predict whether Bjørgen will be seen at this winter’s World Cup. She thinks that Bjørgen in that case wants to be in very good shape if that happens.

– And I get it, says Johaug.

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But even now Johaug believes that Bjørgen maintains a high standard. However, this does not surprise her.

– Marit has only been away for a year and a half. It is limited how much you lose in a year and when you start training you quickly recover from all the training you have done before.

– If it had been out for 10 years, it would have been something else, but it stayed at a higher level, says Johaug.

The national team star also doesn’t seem surprised that Bjørgen has been tempted to go back to cross-country skiing.

– She quickly sees that cross-country life is very pleasant. “I have to agree with that. It’s fun to watch,” laughs Johaug.

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National team coach: – An exciting thought

National team coach Ole Morten Iversen is optimistic about a possible comeback for Bjørgen at the World Cup.

– It would have been a lot of fun. I encourage her, Iversen tells Nettavisen.

However, she says she hasn’t put much effort into considering a possible Bjørgen comeback yet, but says she will be considered if she chooses to bet on a World Cup return.

– You must show that you are motivated to do so and that you walk fast enough, explains Iversen, who is clear that those who walk fast enough can pose for Norway.

He has also learned that Bjørgen shows a promising pace in training and supports Johaug that the 40-year-old may have opportunities to prevail at the World Cup.

– I’m not unaware that Therese is right. I have the impression that Marit has trained well in recent months and not so long ago she was at the top. I think he’s far from where he was, but I’m not ruling out that he can ski fast, says Iversen.

However, the national team coach is unsure whether Bjørgen will be tempted by further World Cup races this winter.

– It is an exciting thought, but I have the feeling that it is far from Marit. I understand you are betting on long distance running and it may be enough for you, says Iversen.

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