Cross-country skiing: “There were some good things, but also some disappointments”, says Victor Lovera
The 2025/2026 season was a season of discovery for Victor Lovera. The 25-year-old from Chartrous was starting a full season on the World Cup circuit for the first time in his career, with the demanding start to the season in Scandinavia.
During the festive season, he also took part in his first Tour de Ski, which he finished in 37th place overall. Victor Lovera spoke to Nordic Magazine about the start of the season and his goals for the future.
- This is your first full World Cup season. How have you found the start to the season?
Yes, it was really special because it was my first time at Ruka in Scandinavia. The level is very high, there are a lot of top-level racers, and everyone arrives with the same objectives. For me, there were a lot of new things, like my first World Cup skiathlon [in Trondheim]. It was a great way to start the season.
- With all these new features, are you satisfied with your performance so far?
It’s a bit of a mixed bag. There were some good things, but also some disappointments. For example, the 10km skate races in Trondheim and Davos were important races for me, and I didn’t manage to perform as well as I’d hoped [25th and 34th, editor’s note]. Everything just didn’t add up, and I felt a bit like a failure in those races.
“In the end, despite the ups and downs, I’m still satisfied with my career”.Victor Lovera at Nordic Magazine
- It’s an important format for you in the run-up to the Olympic Games.
It’s a format I’m particularly fond of, and it’s also an Olympic format. Last year, I did well on this type of event [7th in Les Rousses and 13th in Cogne], and this season, there are very few opportunities to shine on this format in the World Cup. So I really wanted to perform well.
- Were there any positive moments despite these difficulties?
Yes, there were. In Ruka, in the mass start [13th, editor’s note], I felt really good and I was able to fight for a good result. Even in the skiathlon, it was a new experience that taught me a lot. In the end, despite the ups and downs, I’m still satisfied with my performance, especially if I compare it with last year when I wasn’t at the start of the season, I was still in the French Cup.
- Let’s talk about the Tour de Ski, your first participation. What made the biggest impression on you?
The Tour de Ski was very demanding. I was quite tired when I arrived, and I even fell ill, which didn’t make things any easier. Even though I was motivated, I wasn’t in the best shape and I had breathing problems linked to asthma. Some of the stages didn’t suit me too well, but I absolutely wanted to finish the Tour. It’s a legendary event, and it was important for me to experience it.
- How would you rate your performance in this Tour?
Finishing just outside the top 20 on the final climb is a little satisfying. The feeling wasn’t perfect throughout the Tour, but I managed to hang on. It was also motivating to share the podium with Jules [Lapierre], a friend from Chartrousin, on the Alpe Cermis. These experiences will help me in the future.
“Even when the races don’t go the way I want them to, I try to keep in mind that these difficulties are part of the journey”.Victor Lovera at Nordic Magazine
- How do you cope mentally with these more difficult periods?
I’m concentrating on making progress and enjoying my training. Even when the races don’t go the way I want them to, I try to keep in mind that these difficulties are part of the journey. You have to identify what’s going wrong, work on it and keep moving forward. That’s what keeps me motivated. I’ve also been lucky enough to be part of the French Customs team since this season, which helps me enormously to stay calm and look ahead to the future.
- What are your objectives for the rest of the season?
The main objective remains the Olympic Games, especially the 10km skate. Even if the official selection is not yet known, that’s clearly my objective. Then there’s the 50km skate in Oslo, a legendary race that motivates me every day to train and improve.
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