Thomas Bing Plans For More Pro Tour Events
Thomas Bing, xc-ski.de A|N Skimarathon Team, has been one of the best cross-country skiers coming from Germany in the last few years. The 32-year-old German has been an active World Cup, World Championships, and Winter Olympic Games participant, counting good performances from sprints to longer distances in traditional skiing.
But Bing’s dreams go further than just traditional skiing. He frequently races long distances, like the Ski Classics Pro Tour and Challengers events. And he has already shown some good power with the double-poling technique.
Last season, the German athlete finished Jizerská50 and Ylläs-Levi at the 15th and 28th positions, respectively. But his best result at the Ski Classics Pro Tour previous season was at Vasaloppet, where he finished 11th. His result became the best German achievement at Vasaloppet in modern times, taking the mantle from Thomas Freimuth, who managed to be 17th in 2010.
Competing at the Ski Classics Season XIV
Despite World Cup being his goal, Thomas Bing was one of the skiers at the starting line at Bad Gastein Criterium, where he finished 3rd, getting his first Pro Tour podium ever. At the 10th edition of Engadin La Diagonela, the German skier finished the 48-kilometers course in the 19th position, showing that he can fight against the best Pro Tour athletes.
Read More: Dahl and Persson Win Bad Gastein Criterium
As a matter of fact, Bing finished the race just 20 seconds behind the winner Emil Persson and in front of more seasoned long-distance skiers.
“I think this is one of the most interesting races in Europe due to the typology of the course. First, you go for a long flat session and then a steep uphill. I don’t know another race with a course like this,” says Bing after the race, while also sharing that he was curious to know how his body was able to manage the long distance.
Thomas is a passionate skier that tries to start all the races he has time to. And this year, his focus has been on being competitive at the World Cup. So, training has been developed to achieve his goal. However, his double poling training can explain his good performance at Bad Gastein Criterium and Engadin La Diagonela.
“I try to get the best results possible at the World Cup races, but double poling is a big part of my training.”
These are not the only long-distance events that Thomas had the goal of racing. The German skier also wanted to start Pustertaler Ski Marathon and Prato Piazza Mountain Challenge. However, his busy schedule made him stop.
“I competed at the Tour (de Ski) and Continental Cup at the beginning of January. After six races in nine days, I was feeling a bit tired,” says Thomas.
And in the future, Thomas Bing is planning to do more races. Marcialonga tomorrow and Jizerská50 in February are part of his ambitions for Season XIV.
Read More: Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XIV
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.
As a member of ProXCskiing.com, you get full access to all content on the site and live streaming of Ski Classics Pro Tour events with English commentaries.
When you become part of one of the world’s leading XC ski communities, you will receive many exclusive offers all year round.
Register HERE as a Member.