Johan Hoel is a great talent who never really blossomed and became the star one had hoped for. From medals at the Junior World Championships, he didn’t go straight to the top as many predicted. 

Instead, like so many others, it was several years of modest results in the Norwegian Championships, the Norwegian Cup, and sometimes the Scandinavian Cup. 

It is only now – at the age of 29 – that Johan is at the top. And it was only last weekend that he took his first victory in Ski Classics when he won Reistadløpet between Setermoen and Bardufoss.

This is followed by six podium places earlier in the season, including 2nd place in both Vasaloppet and Birken, but missing the sprint finishes that decide so many long-distance races.

Until last Saturday in Bardufoss, he suddenly put Martin Løwstrøm Nyenget and Eirik Sverdrup Augdal in place on the straight finish.

Perhaps even more importantly, he passed his teammate Kasper Stadaas and took over the Yellow leader’s bib in Ski Classics, increased his lead with his 4th place at Summit 2 Senja, and is now really close to sealing the overall win at Saturday’s Janteloppet.

Won the Junior World Championships

In 2014, Johan won the Junior World Championships in the relay race and took bronze in the skiathlon at the Championships in Val di Fiemme.

Who won? Well, Eirik Sverdrup Augdal did. Today, one of the most robust competitors in Ski Classics. Now they meet again in another “sport.”

The Aukland brothers at Team Ragde Charge selected Johan. They saw his toughness and strength. But despite several opportunities, victory was a long way off.

For Johan, most of his tasks were as a “domestique” for the team’s stars, such as Andreas Nygaard, Kasper Stadaas, and the Aukland brothers. But now he is the boss. A Yellow bib in Ski Classics deserves respect.

The back is haunting

It hasn’t all been glowing in recent seasons, either. Back problems have meant that Johan Hoel has had to train differently than usual.

“I haven’t been able to do classic training, so it’s mostly double poling,” he says.

Many sessions are held at Sjusjøen, where his family has an apartment. So, when Saturday’s Janteloppet concludes this year’s Ski Classics season, the trails won’t be unfamiliar.

Magnar Dalen, Team Ragde Charge Pro Team Director, is clear on why the breakthrough comes now:

“Johan is very determined, and this year he hasn’t had any injuries or illnesses that have disrupted his training,” says Magnar.

The family is taking over

And it’s not just about Johan Hoel. His brother Amund Hoel won the Green Sprint bib for Team Engcon, another skier who has settled into the Ski Classics after not quite making the breakthrough in traditional races.

The Hoel family comes from the area around Gardermoen, north of Oslo. The ski brothers were brought up in Åsen IL, along with the Haga family with top skiers such as Ragnhild and Magne.

Saturday will be one of the biggest in the Hoel family’s skiing history, as they will receive the most important bibs in Ski Classics this season.

Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XV

The Season XV of Ski Classics Pro Tour consists of 15 events on 11 event weekends in 6 different countries. The season started in Bad Gastein, Austria, on December 9, 2023, and will end in Norway with the 100km Ski Classics Grand Finale Janteloppet on April 13, 2024.

Next up is Janteloppet on Saturday, April 13. The 93-kilometer long-distance skiing race in classic technique marks the 15th and final Ski Classics stage Season XV.

Janteloppet – Ski Classics Pro Tour Event 15

• Date: April 13, 2024
• Distance: 93km Classic Technique
• Place: Mosetertoppen, Norway
• Start Time: Men 8:00 CET / Women 8:05 CET
• Website: Janteloppet  
• Live Center: Janteloppet 
• SC Play: Janteloppet 

More information about Janteloppet can be found HERE and HERE

Read More:  Are you ready for Ski Classics Grand Finale Janteloppet? 

Janteloppet – Course Map & Profile

Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XV (2023/2024)

• Event 1: December 9, 2023 – Bad Gastein PTT, Austria, 13km
• Event 2: December 10, 2023 – Bad Gastein Criterium, Austria, 36km
• Event 3: December 16, 2023 – La Venosta Criterium, Italy, 35km 
• Event 4: December 17, 2023 – La Venosta ITT, Italy, 10km
• Event 5: January 13, 2024 – 3 Zinnen Ski Marathon, Italy, 62km
• Event 6: January 20, 2024 – Engadin La Diagonela, Switzerland, 55km
• Event 7: January 28, 2024 – Marcialonga, Italy, 70km
• Event 8: February 11, 2024 – Jizerská50, Czech Republic, 50km
• Event 9: February 17, 2024 – Grönklitt Classic, Sweden, 60km
• Event 10: February 18, 2024 – Grönklitt ITT, Sweden, 13km
• Event 11: March 3, 2024 – Vasaloppet, Sweden, 90km
• Event 12: March 16, 2024 – Birkebeinerrennet, Norway, 54km
• Event 13: April 6, 2024 – Reistadløpet, Norway, 50km
• Event 14: April 7, 2024 – Summit 2 Senja, Norway, 60km
• Event 15: April 13, 2024 – Ski Classics Grand Finale – Janteloppet, Norway, 100km

More information about the Ski Classics Pro Tour can be found at skiclassics.com