Unstoppable Klaebo wins 10km Classic in Lahti

Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo’s domination of the men’s events continued as the Norwegian won the Interval Start 10km Classic at the FIS Cross-Country World Cup at Lahti on Sunday.

His compatriot Martin Loewstroem Nyenget did his best to chase him down, but was unable to stop the 11-times Olympic champion from taking the title in 23 minutes 22.6 seconds, 22.1 seconds ahead of him.

Savelii Korostelev (AIN) improved his pacing from earlier in the season where he would start out too hard to challenge towards the end, which paid dividends as he claimed his first World Cup podium in third. He finished a further 11 seconds behind Nyenget and 33.9 seconds behind Klaebo.

Despite fatigue setting in as Klaebo had mentioned after his Sprint win the previous day, he said it was “a lot of fun racing and, the same as yesterday, it was an amazing atmosphere out there”.

Of the final two to three kilometers he added: “It’s always hard. The last Lahti turn is always difficult, it was very difficult as well today because we were really tired but overall I’m super satisfied.”

After travelling home to Norway his next World Cup stop will be Drammen. “That’s the plan,” said Klaebo. “But the last two weeks I’ve been sick in the middle of the week and I’m racing at the weekend, so we can see if I can stay healthy now during the week so I can participate. That is the goal.”

Klaebo has become known for his strength on the uphill and once again used those sections of the course to do the damage against his rivals along with his phenomenal speed on the home straight.

Finland’s Arsi Ruuskanen and Iivo Niskanen were left disappointed after missing out on the podium as they finished fourth and fifth respectively.

It was also an emotional day for their team-mate Perttu Hyvarinen, who was competing in the last World Cup race of his career, where he finished in 27th place. “He’s been a really big player for our team,” said Finland coach Ville Oksanen.

“I mean obviously with the results but even more as a person, he’s like a team builder and gets everyone to loosen up in the group.

“It’s been emotional for him. I think it’s a really great place for him to ski the last World Cup.”

For results of the Men’s Interval Start 10km Classic at Lahti click here.