Vålådalsrennet, the sixth event in Visma Ski Classics and the second Visma Nordic Trophy event Season XI took place today. Ebba Andersson and Emil Persson both from Lager 157 Ski Team, were the winners of the 54 km race.

Andersson won the women’s race seven seconds ahead of Emilie Fleten, Team Koteng. Lina Korsgren finished in third place one minute and 58 seconds behind the winner.

In the men’s race Persson won a sprint finish 1,1 seconds ahead of Andras Nygaard, Team Ragde Eiendom. Oskar Kardin, Team Ragde Eiendom finished third 0,3 seconds behind Nygaard.

The women’s race started 07:45 CET and already at the first climb point after 10,8 km the leading group included only four athletes. Silje Theodorsen, Team Koteng, who raced with kick wax, had a small gap on Ebba Andersson, Lina Korsgren and Emilie Fleten. 

Interesting to see on the downhill after the climb point was that Theodorsen was the one with the best glide.

Ebba Andersson pushed hard on the second loop towards the second climb point, and only Emilie Fleten and Silje Theodorsen could follow. Lina Korsgren lost a lot of time in the uphill section and the climb point after 28,6 km; she was one minute and 32 seconds behind the leading trio.

On the way down towards Vålådalen the second time Theodorsen lost some meters on Andersson and Fleten, opposite the first lap. 

Andersson and Fleten then stayed together all the way to the finish area in Vålådalen. With 300 meters left of the race, Andersson pushed away from Fleten and crossed the finish line seven seconds ahead of the Norwegian. 

In the fight for the third podium place, Lina Korsgren was able to catch Silje Theodorsen, and at the end of the race, she was a little bit stronger and finished 17 seconds ahead of her.

Top three in the women’s race. From left: Emilie Fleten, Ebba Andersson and Lina Korsgren.

“The race went good for me. Double pole this distance is not something I’m used to, so I didn’t know what to expect, but I’m really satisfied with my performance today,” says Ebba Andersson.

“I was not sure I would double pole today. It was a decision I made this morning,” Andersson continues.

“It was a really hard race, but I felt good at the start. Ebba was so strong the second time we went up the hill, and we get away from Korsgren. Then it was such hard conditions in the end, so I was happy to have Ebba with me. We worked great together, and she was impressive today. I was hoping for a stronger finish, but I have been really tired after Vasaloppet. I think this is the best I could hope for today,” says Emilie Fleten.

The men’s race started 09:45 CET, and Jens Burman, Team Koteng, stretched out the field early on, and only Alexis Jeannerod, Team Décathlon Expérience, could follow him towards the first climb point where Burman had a small gap on him with 5 seconds. Jeannerod was then leading the duo on the downhills.

The second time up against the climb point Burman got a larger gap. He passed the climb point after 28,6 km, 35 seconds ahead of the chasing group. Burman then was able to extend his lead, but he then lost the basket och his left pole and he was caught with 17 km left of the race.

The leading group was then 20 athletes big all the way to the finish area in Vålådalen. Emil Persson, Lager 157 Ski Team, was the strongest, in the end, winning 1,1 seconds ahead of Andreas Nygaard, Team Ragde Eiendom. Oskar Kardin, Team Ragde Eiendom was third, 0,3 seconds behind Kardin.

Top three in the men’s race. From left: Andreas Nygaard, Emil Persson and Oskar Kardin.

“This was a hard race. All in from the start. I was not in the first group in the first loop, but I then caught them in the second and got some momentum. Then last 15 km was just about to have a good position. My body started to cramp, but the last kilometers I just focused on the finish line,” says Persson.

“We had to defend the yellow bib. Everybody in the team skied for me today. A big thanks to them. I couldn’t have done it without them. This was a team victory, Persson continues.

“It was fast in the uphills with Burman pushing away with kick wax. Then the last lap went really slow, but the course was so slow and it was a such a disadvantage to be in the front. It was all about saving as much energy as you could. The strongest guy won. I’m really satisfied to be second today and be back on the podium,” says the runner-up Andreas Nygaard.

Lina Korsgren and Emil Persson keeps their the lead in the Champion competition.

Vålådalsrennet was the second event in Visma Nordic Trophy, combining the Scandinavian Pro Tour events, Lina Korsgren and Tord Asle Gjerdalen keeps the lead.

Ida Dahl and Emil Persson keeps the lead in the Youth competition, 

Lina Korsgren and Emil Persson keeps the lead in the Sprint competition since there were no sprint points in today’s race.

Lina Korsgren and Ermil Vokuev keep the lead in the Climb competition. 

The next event in Season XI is Tåssåsen Criterium 64 powered by Visma in Sweden, tomorrow March 21st.