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For the first time since November, the Norwegians took part in the 30-kilometer World Cup with ski change in Lahti on Saturday.
The match was expected to be between the Norwegian and Russian runners, with Bolshunov leading the way. That was also the result in the end. Holund, Iversen, Røthe, Krüger and Golberg lay like a pack of wolves around the leader of the World Cup in Russia, who at the end of the race coincided with Holund.
– It is Bolshunov who takes me around the curve. I break both rods and fall into the net. Then I try and Bolshunov does the same. So the race is really ruined, says Holund of the situation.
In the target area, Holund said a few words to Bolshunov about the incident.
– I really asked him why. What is the point? This is not where the race is decided. There was plenty of space there. One can decide on the ground and on the run and anywhere else, but a left turn is not where we decide.
In the race, Emil Iversen was by far the strongest in a fierce duel with Sjur Røthe. Pål Golberg and Simen Hegstad Krüger followed behind. Bolshunov and Holund, who collapsed, finished in fifth and sixth place.
WIN: Emil Iversen.
Photo: Ole Martin Wold / NTB
– I heard Hans Christer was a bit angry. He’s really sane and calm. It’s not often that I’m so angry, says Simen Hegstad Krüger after the finish.
Today’s winner, Emil Iversen, is clear that this is something he can expect from the Bolshunov.
– It has a tired tendency to be a missile in the field, does not see people and just goes through them. It’s nothing new, but it’s strange that Holund is having a hard time.
– Do you have to stay away from Bolshunov in the field?
– Yes, absolutely, you have to keep it a little away. It’s great, but it can also be a bit scary. Holund came to feel it today in his body. I lay down in front of him in Kuusamo to slow down a bit and then he just walked on my skis. So I thought no, let me stay behind, because it doesn’t work. It gives a little scary.
– Looks like it’s an icy trail. It’s a shame and especially a shame for Holund who breaks both poles, says Thomas Alsgaard.
Sjur Røthe played a large part of the race and denies that there were any Norwegian tactics during the race, even though they were clearly in the lead. Whether Iversen had beaten Bolshunov on one issue, he is not sure.
– He wonders, that. It will probably be a new game in the WC, says Røthe after the race.
Simen Hegstad Krüger also went to the front just before the finish line, finishing fourth, ahead of Bolshunov.
– I was a little anxious there. It was finally a chance to fight for the World Cup winner and the podium there, then I’ll stick with the in-house skis, says Krüger.
The pace was smooth from the start, and only after ten kilometers did the field begin to crack, and the Russians appeared in the lead. Finn Ivo Niskanen, who was animated in the Finnish forests, also appeared towards the end in an otherwise quiet classic part.
The race was important in picking runners for the WC, along with Iversen, Holund, Røthe and Klæbo, if you want to go the distance. When changing skis, Martin Løwstrøm Nyenget had left the field, while the five remaining Norwegians kept up the pace.
At the beginning of the skating section, Sjur Røthe went and blew up the field. Among other things, Pål Golberg had to get along with several Russian riders who participated in the Tour de Ski, before the Norwegian climbed to the lead on his own.
After 20 kilometers, Holund went and put pressure on Bolshunov, who quickly had to go ahead and bring in the Norwegian, as no one else wanted to close the hatch.
– This has turned into a pretty tough race here, Jann Post said when the men were halfway through the skating section.
Soon after, Sjur Røthe left. Once again, Bolshunov had to bring the hatch, which he once again succeeded. After a bit of cheating, more runners arrived, but when Holund left once again, more of the management team escaped. Only the other Norwegians and Bolshunov kept pace in the final round.
Then Simen Hegstad Krüger moved, unable to get rid of any of the rivals.
