Cross-country skiing: Hugo Lapalus made his mark in Beitostølen
In just a few hours’ time, the best athletes in the world of cross-country skiing will come face to face for the first time in the 2024/2025 edition of the World Cup. In Ruka (Finland), the cross-country skiers have a date with one of the season’s great favourites, Norway’s Johannes Hoesflot Klæbo, in an individual 10-kilometre classic.
At a press conference in the last few hours, the man who could be aiming for a hundred career victories on the circuit this season also took the time to talk about the opponents he considers the most serious for this first weekend of competition.
“If I have to name rivals who aren’t Norwegians, I’m obviously thinking of Iivo [Niskanen, editor’s note], he revealed to the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS). Of course, there are also the French. [Hugo] Lapalus was impressive in Beitostølen. It will be interesting to see him.”
This statement echoes the fine performances of the cross-country skier from Haute-Savoie in the opening races in Norway last weekend, after his fifth place in the individual classic and sixth place in the same format in the skating event. The two men will have the chance to do battle for the first time this Friday from 12.40pm, the time of the first start.
Read also
- The full programme for the Ruka World Cup, the first stage of the winter season for cross-country skiers and combined skiers
- Ruka: Fifteen-strong France on the opening day of the World Cup
