By Erik Wickström

For the first time in Visma Ski Classics’ history, we will probably not see a Norwegian Pro Team as the Pro Team competition winner. With three events done and six to go, Team Ramudden has a great tailwind.

All previous ten years of Visma Ski Classics, there have been at least two Norwegian Pro Teams top three in the final standings in the Pro Team competition. After three events this season, the best Norwegian Pro Team is ranked fourth.

Amazing women’s squad
Team Ramudden, who is leading the Pro Team competition, has certainly done their homework during the summer. The female squad´s jaw-dropping performance has been the key. Since they have three girls that already have been on the podium – Lina Korsgren, Jenny Larsson and Ida Dahl – they can afford to have one of them sick or injured. 
On the men’s side, Johannes Eklöf and Herman Paus are both doing more than well looking at their capacity. But they are not yet podium skiers. Max Novak has the potential to win, or at least reach the podium in any race, but so far, things have not gone his way.
Overall the status of Team Ramudden is great, and if they continue to do what they do, they will win the Pro Team competition. But to be sure Novak needs to move up in the result lists. The Pro Team’s previous results are modest, 6th and 4th.

Mohlin a key for Lager 157 Ski Team
Last year, the men in Lager 157 Ski Team reached a new level. Emil Persson won two events, Marcus Johansson finally got to the podium (twice), and Andreas Holmberg was second in the climb competition.
The expectations prior to this season were high, not only because of last year but also since the couple, Elin Mohlin and Anton Karlsson, was back in great shape. Karlsson did not even race the previous season due to back problems.
Persson has obviously done the right things since he has the yellow bib, but the other men have not yet reached the high expectations. Elin Mohlin is doing her strongest season ever with a fourth place in Toblach-Cortina as her best result. Still, the Pro Team is suffering from having Britta Johansson Norgren out of competitions.
If Johansson Norgren gets back in racing soon, and if the men can continue to take steps in the right direction like they did in Marcialonga, they can beat Team Ramudden.

Looking good for Russian Winter Team
We have seen the potential of Russian Winter Team for a few years now. But since they haven’t been consistent, they have never been better than fifth in the Team competition. Now they certainly have their chance to reach the podium, since they seem to prioritise to put a strong squad on every starting line in Visma Ski Classics.
Ermil Vokouev is in great shape, and after a journey in the world cup early in the season, he now focuses on long distance skiing.
Maxim Vylegzanin is a great addition to Vokouev, whereas Alexey Dvoskin and Dmitriy Bagrashov collect valuable points in the Sprint competition and the Youth competition, respectively.
Olga Tsareva and Anastasia Rygalina make a great duo on the women’s side, where the latter also gathers some youth points.

Tough times for Team Ragde Eiendom
The most strange – or at least unusual – in the Pro Team competition standings might be that we find Team Ragde Eiendom in fourth place. They had won every year except from 2014 and 2019, when Team Koteng captured the title. 
Oskar Kardin is doing better than ever, and the phenomenon Anders Aukland has a great season that also includes a surprising third place in the Sprint competition. But they are missing Andreas Nygaard, who is injured and might not be back until Vasaloppet, if that early. Petter Eliassen needs to reach his good old level if the Pro Team should have a chance of beating the Pro Teams ahead since they have trouble getting points among the women. 
Anikken Gjerde Alnæs is doing okay considering her earlier Visma Ski Classics results, but it is not enough for the Pro Team. They also have Marit Bjørgen on the rooster, but she is not allowed to race until Vasaloppet due to an administrational mistake. And the third girl, Therese Johaug, will probably not enter the circuit until later in the season.

Fleten raises Team Koteng
Emelie Fleten from Team Koteng managed to climb up on the podium once last season, and now she is subscribing to results in the very top. She has been trapped in the tactics from Team Ramudden a few times, but she is certainly a valuable cornerstone for the Norwegian Pro Team based in Trondheim.
Other than that, the Pro Team is having a hard time. Tore Bjørset Berdahl has retired, Chris Andre Jespersen has a problem with his back, and we expect more from both Stian Hoelgaard and Torleif Syrstad. 
Recently, another tough news from Team Koteng was released. Visma Ski Classics Legend Astrid Øyre Slind needs to take a break due to overtraining.
Team Koteng started in the season of 2013. The first years as Team Skigo, then a few years as Team United Bakeries (not the same Team United Bakeries as we saw in Visma Ski Classics the first three years). They have won the Pro Team competition twice, and they have never missed the podium. Now it might happen.

Results in the Pro Team competition from previous years

Season I – 2011
1) Team Xtra Personell (now Team Ragde Eiendom)
2) Team Xspirit
3) Team United Bakeries
4) Engadin Skimarathon Team
5) Patria Direct Team

Season II – 2012
1) Team Xtra Personell (now Team Ragde Eiendom)
2) Team Xspirit
3) Team United Bakeries
4) Patria Direct Team
5) Italia Molinari-Officine Meccaniche-Scame 

Season III – 2013
1) Team Xtra Personell (now Team Ragde Eiendom)
2) Team Coop
3) Team United Bakeries
4) Ixmind Racing Team
5) Team Vitargo

Season IV – 2014
1) Team United Bakeries (now Team Koteng)
2) Team Centric (now Team Ragde Eiendom)
3) Team Coop
4) Team LeasePlan Go 
5) Team Vitargo

Season V – 2015
1) Team Santander (now Team Ragde Eiendom)
2) Team United Bakeries (now Team Koteng)
3) Team Coop
4) Team LeasePlan Go 
5) Silvini Madshus Team

Season VI – 2016
1) Team Santander (now Team Ragde Eiendom)
2) Team United Bakeries (now Team Koteng)
3) Team Exspirit
4) Lager 157 Ski Team
5) Team LeasePlan Go 

Season VII – 2017
1) Team Santander (now Team Ragde Eiendom)
2) Lager 157 Ski Team
3) Team United Bakeries (now Team Koteng)
4) Team LeasePlan Go
5) Team BN Bank

Season VIII – 2018
1) Team Santander (now Team Ragde Eiendom)
2) Lager 157 Ski Team
3) Team Koteng (now Team Koteng)
4) Bauer Ski Team
5) Team Serneke

Seaaon IX – 2019
1) Team Koteng
2) Team Ragde Eiendom
3) Lager 157 Ski Team
4) Team BN Bank
5) Ed System Bauer Team

Season X – 2020
1) Team Ragde Eiendom
2) Lager 157 Ski Team
3) Team Koteng
4) Team Ramudden
5) Russian Winter Team

Season XI – 2021 (current standings)
1) Team Ramudden 
2) Lager 157 Ski Team
3) Russian Winter Team
4) Team Ragde Eiendom
5) Team Koteng