Cross-country skiing: Mathis Desloges out in front for his first world championships
A few hours before his very first start at the world cross-country skiing championships, Mathis Desloges made his intentions clear. The Frenchman was not coming to Trondheim (Norway) to “discover”. And it’s fair to say that the man from Isère wasn’t even fazed by the crazy atmosphere around Granåsen stadium. On Saturday, in the skiathlon, the Frenchman played a leading role.
Sixth at the finish in a final sprint that will live long in the memory, the 22-year-old cross-country skier simply put in his best career performance since joining the elite. Finishing just 9 tenths away from a medal, the young man tells Nordic Magazine about his fantastic performance.
- Mathis, you’ve just finished sixth in your first race at the Worlds. Tell us about that performance…
The form was there, that’s for sure. I hung in there in the classic. The aim was to get through the ski change on contact. And on that point, I couldn’t have done any better. I started the skate in the best possible shape. I’m still in the leading group of fifteen skiers and in the final pack, there’s just a few missing. I’m nowhere near the podium, so it’s still very satisfying to finish sixth in my first start at the Worlds. Of course, you always want better, but for the time being, I think we can be satisfied with this.
- What did you need to win a medal?
When you see the sprinters finishing ahead, you think you just have to take your time. It’s clear that you always want to skip stages to do better. But here I’m in sixth place even though I’m still an U23 and I’m finishing at the foot of athletes like [Federico] Pellegrino, [Martin Loewstroem] Nyenget, [Harald Oestberg] Amundsen and even [Johannes Hoesflot] Klæbo. He certainly lacks a little experience. It’ll take as long as it takes, but in any case, I’m already looking forward to the next race. The few tenths that I’m missing can quickly work in my favour.
“You think you can have a medal around your neck”.Mathis Desloges at Nordic Magazine
- The pace was frantic from the very first kilometres. When you were quickly in a small group, were you thinking about a podium finish?
It certainly doesn’t go out of your mind. When you see that you’re able to keep up with the pace of people like [Simen Hegstad] Krueger, who really make the race hard, you think you could have a medal around your neck. In any case, we believe it!
- We sometimes saw you go backwards during the last ten kilometres of skateboarding. What was your tactic?
The skateboarding started quite quickly. I wasn’t riding hard, but rather managing. I let myself lose a few places without losing contact with the group. The aim was to give myself a bit more energy for the last lap.
- At the same time, you achieved your best-ever performance in the top flight…
In any case, that’s the objective for the season. I’m in better shape than I was for the World Cups. To achieve the best result of the season at the world championships means that the preparation went really well and that the rest can only get better.
“I’ve never raced with such fervour”.Mathis Desloges at Nordic Magazine
- And tell us about the crazy atmosphere…
It was crazy! I’ve never run with such fervour. It gave you wings. There was shouting everywhere and whether it was for Johannes Hoesflot Klæbo or me, it was the same [Laughs]!
Read also
- Trondheim: Johannes Hoesflot Klæbo new world skiathlon champion, Mathis Desloges fantastic sixth
- “I’m not going there just to find out”: in Trondheim, Mathis Desloges wants to play in the big leagues for his first world championships
- “We have an even stronger team”: Jules Lapierre is ambitious before the start of the Trondheim Worlds
- “This is the first time I’m going into the Worlds with a real chance of a medal”: Hugo Lapalus tells Nordic Magazine ahead of the Trondheim Worlds, where he’ll be aiming for the podium.
- The full programme for the 2025 World Cross-Country Skiing, Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined Championships in Trondheim
