Tour de Ski starts tomorrow in Lenzerheide. Judging by some coverage of today’s training it seems that the conditions are good, but the forecast calls for snow tonight and into tomorrow, and more on Wednesday. That’ll be tricky waxing, particularly for the individual classic race.
This year’s format suits Klæbo to a T. What will Bolshunov do? His form won’t be as good as it was last season at this time, but he should be better than he was the first month of the season. Niskanen hasn’t raced since the Lillehammer relay. I wonder what he’ll do at the tour, the 15km classic on Wednesday is his best shot at a stage win. The other Norwegians will be looking for later in the tour, guys like Krüger, Røthe and Holund, but two sprints, and only one distance individual start will likely put them at a big disadvantage.
The women’s field is open with Johaug staying at home. My money is on Karlsson, even if she’s never raced the Alpe Cermis. Hopefully the Russian women show some improvement and at least one of them can fight for the overall. Nepryaeva has been on the overall TDS podium twice, and Stupak once, which was last year.
No Østberg, she’s having health problems again. No TDS also means no Olympics for her. I am thinking she will retire soon. I can’t see her going for the Olympics in 2026, she’ll be 35 then.