Stian Hoelgaard Before Marcialonga: “Now The Goal Is To Fight For A Victory”

After another strong race at Engadin La Diagonela, Stian Hoelgaard showed that his form is rising. Now he and Team Aker Dæhlie are preparing to secure a new podium place in Marcialonga.
After another strong race at Engadin La Diagonela, Stian Hoelgaard showed that his form is rising. Now he and Team Aker Dæhlie are preparing to secure a new podium place in Marcialonga.

“The finish in Engadin La Diagonela suits me very well. It is slightly tough, but not too tough. It was a long sprint that suited me quite well, although struggling to keep up with the fastest in a sprint,” says Stian Hoelgaard after his third place at last weekend’s Engadin La Diagonela.

The Team Aker Dæhlie athlete also says self-confidence from last year’s edition may have been the key to a new top performance. 

Last season he was second, only beaten by Kasper Stadaas. At the same time, there were two sixth places at the Pustertaler Ski Marathon and the Prato Piazza Mountain Challenge the weekend before. The 31-year-old knew before the start that he could have a good chance of another podium place.

“I planned to be on the offensive from the start. The race ended up being a race where the field was large all the way, which was a big advantage for me on Saturday.”

The Body Did Not Respond

Hoelgaard explains that it was a tough day. His body didn’t respond the way he wanted. Luckily, the athletes in the main field did not decide to break earlier.

“I think it went very fast at the start. I was very much at the back of the field for the most part. I didn’t feel like I had quite the day, but fortunately, everyone stayed together,” he says and continues:

“When there were 10-15 kilometers to go, however, I felt much better. I managed to be combative in the last 700-800 meters. I had an extra gear at the end, which was crucial. That’s the charm of long-distance skiing. It can be difficult at times, but then everything can change. It is important not to give up.”

The top 3 at Engadin La Diagonela Season XIV: Max Novak, Team Aker Dæhlie; Emil Persson, Lager 157 Ski Team; and Stian Hoelgaard, Team Aker Dæhlie. Photo: Reichert/NordicFocus.


The Big Goal

 Stian Hoelgaard has been active in Ski Classics since 2013, but victory is still waiting for him.

“The form is very good now. January is an important month to be in shape, with a tough race program. I have managed to maintain and enjoy it. Now the goal is to fight for victory. But I know I must raise the form to make it.

The biggest challenge for all long-distance skiers aiming to be at the top of the podium this season seems to be the almost “unbeatable” Swede Emil Persson, Lager 157 Ski Team.

“What he is doing now is quite ‘crazy.’ We have probably never seen such a superb athlete before in long-distance skiing. It is fascinating to see that he masters everything: uphill races, short, long, and at the same time have a strong sprint,” says Hoelgaard.

The first chance is on Sunday when one of the season’s biggest races is held, Marcialonga.

Hoelgaard has started the race every year since 2013 and is, therefore, one of the more experienced athletes in the field. His best result dates back to 2016 when he finished on the podium. Last year he was number 15.

Several Pro Tour athletes wonder how it is possible to beat Emil Persson this season. Photo: Vanzetta/NordicFocus.


Trying New Form Of Preparation Ahead Of Marcialonga

Before Sunday, however, together with the rest of Team Aker Dæhlie, he will test out a completely new form of preparation. For the past two weeks, the team has stayed at altitude in Switzerland and intends to continue doing so until the start on Sunday morning. In the past, they have stayed at low altitudes before the start.

“It will be exciting to try a new preparation. In the past, we have only stayed at altitude until Thursday, the week before. The scheme has proven to be very successful in the racing environment, but it has not been tested as much in long-distance racing before,” says Hoelgaard and continues:

“There is still no guarantee that it will be successful. It can be challenging with ski testing, among other things. Regardless of whether it will be an advantage for Marcialonga or not, we have spent three weeks at altitude now, which we hope we can take advantage of later in the season.”

What do you think about your chances in Marcialonga?

“My starting point is that it will all be decided on the last hill. I plan to be relaxed until then but hang in the main group. It will be important to save energy but be well-positioned before the last hill. I’m not the fastest, so I shouldn’t wait for a possible sprint.”

Read also: 50th Edition Celebration For Marcialonga This Weekend  

Stian Hoelgaard, Team Aker Dæhlie, during Engadin La Diagonela. Photo: Reichert/NordicFocus.

An Advantage To Us

Towards the weekend, two skiers joined Team Aker Dæhlie. Hoelgaard believes that helps to strengthen the team further.

Mikael Gunnfulsen and Mattis Stenshagen will start and race in the blue and orange colors in the 70-kilometer-long race on Sunday morning.

“Both have enormous capacity, and I think it will be an advantage for us to have a large and strong team at the start. It is, of course, an advantage to be specially trained for the long distances, but both have previously shown that they are also strong in long races, says Hoelgaard and continues:

“I think it is important for Team Aker Dæhlie to bring such strong athletes. Then more people can contribute at the front of the field, and if necessary, we can send someone into a break. We get more to play on. I think that is only positive.”

Read More: Two Strong Additions To Team Aker Dæhlie For Marcialonga

It was a good day for Team Aker Dæhlie last weekend at Engadin La Diagonela. Hoelgaard finished third, while teammate Max Novak finished second. Astrid Øyre Slind also won the women’s race.

Mikael Gunnulfsen and Mattis Stenshagen will also be seen in Team Aker Dæhlie’s blue and orange suits at Marcialonga. Photo: Reichert/NordicFocus.


Important Goals Await

Marcialonga will be the last race in the three-week-long intense competition period the long-distance skiers have now been through. Several athletes, including Hoelgaard, now enter a more demanding training period leading up to the important races in February and March.

“The next two weekends in the calendar, Jizerská and Orsa, will be important races before the focus turns to Vasaloppet. It is big for me, with Birken right after it. I hope February will also be a month where I get to put in a good amount of training.”

The upcoming Ski Classics Pro Tour event is Marcialonga, a 70km classic technique event in Italy on January 29.

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, 40km 
  • 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, 15km
  • 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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