The Grönklitt weekend starts tomorrow with the Grönklitt Criterium. The ninth event of Season XIV is a 50-kilometer long-distance race offering stunning scenery. The Grönklitt Criterium is a mass start race with several laps and a challenging course. 

The Men’s Favorites For The Grönklitt Criterium

Emil Persson – Lager 157 Ski Team

Emil Persson, Lager 157 Ski Team, did not have his best day at Jizerská50. The Swedish skier saw his winning streak turning into history after last weekend. Still, the Yellow bib holder is undoubtedly one of the strongest skiers on the circuit, winning six events this Season.

After Jizerská50, Emil went to Edsåsdalen in Sweden and trained in good conditions before moving to the following racing location. However, Emil feels that his body is not at its best. 

“I am a little bit down-trained. But hopefully, I will be able to keep at the front until the last 10 kilometers and then be strong enough,” says Emil Persson in the pre-event interview earlier this week. 

Watch Here: Grönklitt Weekend Pre-Event Interviews

Kasper Staadas – Team Ragde Charge

Kasper Staadas, Team Ragde Charge, was the man who ended Emil’s winning streak. The Norwegian Pro Tour athlete won Jizerská50:

“It was an amazing day for me,” he says during the interview.

Kasper is expecting to be able to fight for the win and be as good as last year. 

“But you never know. Some days you are good, others not that much,” Stadaas says.

Kasper will focus on Saturday’s race, hoping to get a good result, and then on Sunday, he will use the individual time trial race to get some points and good training toward Vasaloppet. 

Just like Emil, Kasper has his sights set on Vasaloppet, and despite having the desire to win at Orsa Grönklitt, his main goal now is to get in the right shape for Vasaloppet.

Amund Riege – Team Ramudden 

Amund Riege, Team Ramudden, who is currently the 2nd best man in the fight for the Yellow bib and the leader of the Youth competition, managed to get his first podium at Jizerská50. 

“It means a lot. It was a tough race, but I had good skis and good shape. 

So, I am really happy,” he says during the pre-event interview.

Despite reaching the podium for the first time, Amund Riege has been a consistent top 5 skier. 

“I have done some easy sessions and not that hard intervals. I hope I can maintain the shape this weekend,” concludes Amund. 

The Women’s Favorites For the Grönklitt Criterium

Magni Smedås – Team Eksjöhus

Despite going through a good phase, Magni Smedås, Team Eksjöhus, was surprised about her second win at Jizerská50. At the pre-event interview, Magni stated, “my body felt like crap during the first 20 kilometers.” 

However, the Norwegian athlete managed to find the strength to reach the top of the podium in the Czech Republic. 

Since Jizerská50, Magni didn’t train that much, but she feels her energy levels are recharged, and hopefully, she will be strong again this weekend.

Ida Dahl – Team Engcon

Ida Dahl, Team Engcon, is not having the strong phase she had before Marcialonga, but nevertheless, she is one of the strongest contenders for the win. 

Last year, Ida was 4th at the Individual Prologue in Orsa Grönklitt. 

“I remember it was quite high speed and a tough race. But it was fun, a good race,” and continues:

“I have been doing some good sessions at home, so I feel good for the weekend,” says Ida Dahl during the interview earlier this week.

Emilie Fleten – Tem Ramudden

With four podiums and ranked 4th best in the Yellow bib competition, Emilie Fleten, Team Ramudden, is one of the strongest ladies of the Ski Classics circuit. 

The Norwegian skier who Lina Korsgren’s expertise has strongly inspired has yet to win a race so far, but she has consistently been one of the skiers her competitors fear the most.

Jizerská50 was not her best performance this Season, but now Emilie might return to her best shape, especially as the big races are approaching.

Kati Roivas – Team Næringsbanken Stora Enso

Kati Roivas, Team Næringsbanken Stora Enso, may not be as familiar yet as the previously mentioned Pro Tour athletes, but this Finnish skier has been paving her way to the top of Ski Classics. 

Currently in the 6th position for the Yellow Champion bib, Kati Roivas might surprise her competitors by reaching a podium position this weekend.

Her best race so far has been Engadin La Diagonela, where she finished in the 4th position. But this time, with Astrid Øyre Slind, Team Aker Dæhlie, out of the game, and many athletes saving energy for the upcoming big events, Kati might have her chance to step on the podium.

Conclusion

Grönklitt Criterium will be a tough race. Despite the goal of some skiers who want to save energy for the upcoming races, it will still be an important fight to get more points and to show who is getting in top shape for Vasaloppet.

The Season XIV of Ski Classics Pro Tour consists of 14 events on 10 event weekends in 6 different countries. 

Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XIV (2022/2023)

• Event 1: December 10, 2022 – Bad Gastein PTT, Bad Gastein, Austria, 15km
• Event 2: December 11, 2022 – Bad Gastein Criterium, Bad Gastein, Austria, 35km
• Event 3: December 17, 2022 – La Venosta Criterium, Val Venosta, Italy, 36km 
• Event 4: January 14, 2023 – Pustertaler Ski Marathon, Sexten, Italy, 62km
• Event 5: January 15, 2023 – Prato Piazza Mountain Challenge, Niederdorf, Italy, 32km
• Event 6: January 21, 2023 – Engadin La Diagonela, Engadin Valley, Switzerland, 48km 
• Event 7: January 29, 2023 – Marcialonga, Trentino, Italy, 70km
• Event 8: February 12, 2023 – Jizerská50, Bedrichov, Czech Republic, 50km
• Event 9: February 18, 2023 – Grönklitt Criterium, Orsa Grönklitt, Sweden, 50km
• Event 10: February 19, 2023 – Grönklitt ITT, Orsa Grönklitt, Sweden, 12km
• Event 11: March 5, 2023 – Vasaloppet, Sälen-Mora, Sweden, 90km
• Event 12: March 18, 2023 – Birkebeinerrennet, Rena-Lillehammer, Norway, 54km
• Event 13: April 1, 2023 – Reistadløpet, Setermoen-Bardufoss, Norway, 40km
• Event 14: April 2, 2023 – Summit 2 Senja, Bardufoss- Finnsnes, Norway, 67km

More information about the Ski Classics Pro Tour you can find at skiclassics.com.

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