Cross-country skiing: Les Bleus were no match for the Norwegian armada
The French could have had high hopes this Saturday in the classic sprint final of the cross-country skiing world cup in Cogne (Italy), which took place in the middle of the afternoon. In the semi-final, Richard Jouve and Lucas Chanavat had made it through to the final round with authority.
However, not everything went according to plan. In fact, on this last effort of the day, the Norwegians had apparently decided otherwise. Erik Valnes, Ansgar Evensen and Even Northug got off to a flying start and made the difference midway through the race.
By continuing to press the accelerator, the three compatriots never looked back and went on to score an incredible hat-trick of victories, their first in a sprint since 12 March and the domination of Johannes Hoesflot Klæbo, Haavard Solaas Taugboel and Even Northug in Drammen (Norway).
At the foot of the podium, the Tricolores had to make do with fourth and fifth place. However, Richard Jouve and Lucas Chanavat once again put in some fine performances. The Haut-Alpin and the Bornandin seem to be in good shape. A good omen less than a month away from the World Championships in Trondheim (Norway).
However, Jules Chappaz‘s adventure came to an end at the previous stage. Present in the same half as his two companions, Le Cluse was not selected as a lucky loser despite his third place. The day after his fine second place with Richard Jouve in the team sprint, the Haut-Savoyard also sent out some positive signals.
The full rankings
The overall sprint ranking
The overall World Cup standings
Read also
- Cogne: classic sprint qualification for a solid Erik Valnes, three Frenchmen in the finals
- Cogne: Jasmi Joensuu takes the lead in the classic sprint qualifier, Mélissa Gal comes out on top
- Reactions from Jules Chappaz and Richard Jouve after their podium finish in the classic team sprint in Cogne: “It gives the whole team a bit of breathing space”.
- Video of Jules Chappaz and Richard Jouve taking second place in the classic sprint team race in Cogne
- Cogne: Jules Chappaz and Richard Jouve on the podium in the classic sprint team
- Cogne: Kerttu Niskanen and Jasmi Joensuu make no bones about winning the classic sprint team, Mélissa Gal and Léna Quintin finish twelfth
- Cogne: after the disqualification of Iivo Niskanen and Lauri Vuorinen, Rémi Bourdin and Renaud Jay are drafted into the finals
- Cogne: Jules Chappaz and Richard Jouve fifth in the classic team sprint qualifier won by Norway, Rémi Bourdin and Renaud Jay eliminated
- Cogne: Kerttu Niskanen and Jasmi Joensuu win the classic sprint team qualifier, Mélissa Gal and Léna Quintin finish tenth
