Emilie Fleten (NOR), Runar Skaug Mathisen (NOR), (l-r) won the Women’s and Men’s editions of the Ski Classics Marcialonga in Trentino, Italy. (Photo: Vanzetta/NordicFocus)
Marcialonga—the seventh Ski Classics stage, and first Grand Classics event, Season XV—took place today in Trentino, Italy. The traditional Italian race—starting in Moena and finished in Cavalese—saw Runar Skaug Mathisen (Lager 157 Ski Team) and Emilie Fleten (Team Ramudden) mastering their respective races and winning the 51st edition of Marcialonga.
MEN’S RACE
In the men’s race, which started at 8:00 CET, the action started early with Team Ragde Charge, Team Eksjöhus, Team Ramudden, and Lager 157 Ski Team setting the pace for the first few kilometers. With 53km remaining, Fabián Štoček (Vltava Fund Ski Team) hit the front, stretching the field,. The big group was attentive, not letting anyone get a break. From there until Canazei, the group remained together.
At Canazei, the first Sprint checkpoint at the 18.6km mark saw Amund Hoel (Team Engcon) crossing first, followed by Simen Ramstad (Team Kaffebryggeriet) in second, and Alfred Buskqvist (Team Ramudden) in third position. Right after the Sprint checkpoint, Team Ragde Charge hit the front, setting a fast pace and stretching the field.
At Soraga—33.3 kilometers into the race—Emil Persson (Lager 157 Ski Team) tried his luck and established a break, gaining a few seconds over his chasers. Heading to the second Sprint checkpoint of the day, with about 34km to go, Persson was brought back. A group of 12 skiers formed at the front, increasing the speed and preparing for the coming Sprint.
The day’s second—and last—Sprint checkpoint was contested in Predazzo at the 45.4 kilometer mark where Amund Hoel (Team Engcon) taking maximum points. Alfred Buskqvist (Team Ramudden) crossed in second place, followed by Simen Ramstad (Team Kaffebryggeriet) in third place.
With 22km to go, Runar Skaug Mathisen (Lager 157 Ski Team) got a break, and 16 skiers were chasing behind, already in action and preparing for the challenging last part of the race. The gap increased, and at Lago di Tesero—about 15 kilometers to go—Skaug Mathisen was 25 seconds ahead of the chasers.
With 8.8 kilometers to go, the leader increased the gap to 55 seconds, with chasers trying their best to bring the breakaway back.
With three kilometers to go, the lead gap decreased to 40 seconds over the chasers. Team Ragde Charge led the chasing group and set a fierce pace. With 1.3 kilometers to go, the gap increased to 53 seconds; it looked like Skaug Mathisen was set to get his first Ski Classics Pro Tour victory.
In the end, with an epic effort, Skaug Mathisen soloed to win Marcialonga and the first Grand Classics Season XV. Second place went to Emil Persson (Lager 157 Ski Team), 4.8 seconds back. Johan Hoel (Team Ragde Charge) completed the podium in third place, 5.5 seconds behind.
Marcialonga – Top 5 Men
- Runar Skaug Mathisen, Lager 157 Ski Team, 2:35:53.6
- Emil Persson, Lager 157 Ski Team, +4.8
- Johan Hoel, Team Ragde Charge, +5.5
- Thomas Ødegaarden, Team Eksjöhus, +9.7
- Kasper Stadaas, Team Ragde Charge, +16.0
WOMEN’S RACE
In the women’s race (starting five minutes after the men) a fast pace was set from the gun, and a leading group of about 15 skiers formed early on.
One top name in the women’s field was missing today: Ida Dahl (Team Engcon) is recovering from illness and did not start at the first Grand Classics of Season XV.
At the first Sprint point in Canazei, 18.6km into the race, Anniken Gjerde Alnæs (Team Ragde Charge) crossed first, followed by Frida Erkers (Team Eksjöhus) and her teammate Magni Smedås. Sixteen skiers were within 13.6 seconds of the front of the group with about 51km to go.
At Soraga, 33.3km into the race, Emilie Fleten (Team Ramudden) crossed first, followed by Jenny Larsson and Anniken Gjerde Alnæs, both from Team Ragde Charge.
With 30 kilometers to go, a leading duo formed: Emilie Fleten and Anniken Gjerde Alnæs. Before Predazzo, the duo leaders were brought back. At the Sprint checkpoint, 45.4km into the race, Anniken Gjerde Alnæs (Team Ragde Charge) took the points, followed by Emilie Fleten (Team Ramudden) 0.1 seconds behind, and Magni Smedås (Team Eksjöhus) 1.5 seconds back. Jenny Larsson (Team Ragde Charge)and Kati Roivas (Team Eksjöhus) were the other two skiers in the front group of five.
With 1.5 kilometers to go, the five leading skiers were still together, with Emilie Fleten at the front at the start of the final climb. Soon, the incline began; Fleten started to push hard, and only Smedås could follow. With one kilometer to go, Fleten made a decisive move and never looked back.
Ultimately, Emilie Fleten (Team Ramudden) just flew up Cascata and won Marcialonga in a solid style and a total time of 3:01:07.9.
Magni Smedås (Team Eksjöhus) finished second, 13.9 seconds back, followed by Kati Roivas (Team Eksjöhus) 36.9 seconds behind the winner.
Marcialonga – Top 5 Women
- Emilie Fleten, Team Ramudden, 3:01:07.9
- Magni Smedås, Team Eksjöhus, +13.9
- Kati Roivas, Team Eksjöhus, +36.9
- Anniken Gjerde Alnæs, Team Ragde Charge, +37.5
- Jenny Larsson, Team Ragde Charge, +1:47.6
Complete Marcialonga results can be found HERE
