The start of Visma Ski Classics on Saturday is also the start for Visma Alp Trophy, where the first three events are included. Lets take a look at some of the favourites.

Since the season of 2016, Visma has been the title sponsor for Ski Classics. Visma Nordic Trophy was introduced already the second year, a cup within the cup including the events in the Nordic countries in March and April. The following year Visma Alp Trophy was established, with the events in the Alps in January and February.

Both competitions have been highly appreciated among the Pro Athletes and it makes the tour more interesting for fans and commentators. Some skiers are better suited for the races in the Alps compared to in the Nordic countries and vice versa. And since the season is long, illnesses and injuries can impair the chance to win the overall standings. Therefore, it is exciting and inspiring to break up the tour into different elements.

Johansson Norgren again?

Looking at previous years, we find Britta Johansson Norgren from Lager 157 Ski Team on the top of the list all three times. Johansson Norgren is renown for here consistency and she never misses a Visma Ski Classics event.

This feature has been crucial for the Visma Alp Trophy since it usually includes the “January madness”, with several races back to back. This year is different, with only three events: Engadin La Diagonela, Toblach-Cortina and Marcialonga. But they are tough races and there are no weekends in-between, so a good guess is that Johansson Norgren will perform well even this year. She has shown promising results in early races on snow in Sweden.

Astrid Øyre Slind from Team Koteng is a little bit more up and down. She can win a race with a couple of minutes and then drop out from the next one. If she is healthy and free of injuries, she definitely has the chance to win the Visma Alp Trophy.

Ed System Bauer Team’s Katerina Smutná has not had the same highest level as Johansson Norgren and Øyre Slind the last years. But she is often on the podium in the Alp events and she is also a contender for the Visma Alp Trophy.

Other female athletes to watch out for are Lina Korsgren and Ida Dahl from Team Ramudden and Emelie Fleten from Team Koteng. They have performed well both at rollerski races and the early ski races. Korsgren’s highest level is comparable with Johansson Norgren and Øyre Slind.

Time for Gjerdalen?

Among the men, Tord Asle Gjerdalen from Team XPND Fuel of Norway is the only one that has been top three in the Visma Alp Trophy competition all years. The races suit him well and with a new team he is motivated to perform at his top. Also, he doesn’t need to ski to support other teammates in the same way.

Usually, some skiers perform better early in the season and some in the end of the season. This could be explained by type of race and time of the year. Since the start of the season was postponed, many Pro Athletes changed their training to better fit the new calendar. This will probably affect the result of Visma Alp Trophy.

The two Team Ragde Eiendom stars Andreas Nygaard and Petter Eliassen will most likely be a big challenge for Gjerdalen. Nygaard tend to get in shape a little later in the season, but he is interested in winning Marcialonga for the first time. Toblach-Cortina, which is a relatively short and flat race with a fast finish doesn’t suit Eliassen that great, but he is still one of the favourites in all races he shows up to. Engadin La Diagonela and Marcialonga, 65 and 70 km respectively, finish with a long uphill where sprinting abilities are less important.

We could expect that Stian Hoelgaard will be a threat. He is a multiple podium skier looking for his first victory. Max Novak from Team Ramudden is another interesting name, not least since he won the opening race in Sweden ahead of the national team. The Swede Marcus Johansson from Lager 157 Ski Team is often doing well in the races included in the Visma Alp Trophy. He is still developing and with two visits on the podium last year he is on the right track, if not his cracked rib during the fall will stop him.

The Visma Alp Trophy is decided by adding the champion points in event 1, 2 and 3, all taking place in the Alps.

Events included in Visma Alp Trophy:

Event 1: Jan. 16, 2021, Engadin La Diagonela, 65 km ,Zuoz, Switzerland
Event 2: Jan. 23, 2021, Toblach-Cortina, 42 km, Toblach-Cortina, Italy
Event 3: Jan. 31, 2021, Marcialonga, 70 km, Trentino, Italy

Results in Visma Alp Trophy from previous years.

Season X

1) Andreas Nygaard, Team Ragde Eiendom, 790 points
2) Tord Asle Gjerdalen, Team Ragde Eiendom, 745 points
3) Stian Hoelgaard, Team Koteng, 710 points

1) Britta Johansson Norgren, Lager 157 Ski Team, 975 points
2) Kari Vikhagen Gjeitnes, Team Koteng, 945 points
3) Astrid Øyre Slind, Team Koteng, 904 points

Season IX

1) Petter Eliassen, Team BN Bank, 530 points
2) Andreas Nygaard, Team Ragde Eiendom, 475 points
3) Tord Asle Gjerdalen, Team Ragde Eiendom, 420 points

1) Britta Johansson Norgren, Lager 157 Ski Team, 550 points
2) Astrid Øyre Slind, Team Koteng, 450 points
2) Kateřina Smutná, Ed System Bauer Team, 450 points

Season VIII

1) Tord Asle Gjerdalen, Team Santander, 730 points
2) Ilya Chernousov, Bauer Ski Team, 520 points
3) Morten Eide Pedersen, Team BN Bank, 500 points

1) Britta Johansson Norgren Lager, 157 Ski Team, 800 points
2) Kateřina Smutná, Bauer Ski Team, 595 points
3) Lina Korsgren, Åre Längdskidklubb, 590 points