Cross-country skiing: Hugo Lapalus more than ever in the running at the Tour de Ski
On Wednesday, New Year’s Day, Hugo Lapalus thought he could claim his second podium finish of the winter in the classic pursuit of the cross-country skiing world cup in Toblach (Italy), the fourth stage of the nineteenth edition of the Tour de Ski.
Fourth after almost catching up with the leading group at the end of an eventful and fairly indecisive race, the Haut-Savoyard spoke to Nordic Magazine about his performance and also about the first part of the tour.
- How were you approaching this race before the second and final rest day of the Tour de Ski?
It was a great race and we were at a turning point in the Tour de Ski between Tuesday and Wednesday. These were two really important stages that could have done some damage. The individual skate raced on an unusual track and with a single loop could really do some damage.
The chase was conditioned by the previous day’s times, so it could have been tricky, but we managed to get through it well and make sure we were still placed overall. That’s the most important thing about the Tour de Ski. Of course, there are podium opportunities every day, but you also have to know where you stand overall.
- How did you feel at the start?
There was a bit of apprehension because we know that in chases, things always start quickly. The first lap is often a real mess because everyone’s trying to catch up with whoever’s in front. I knew I had to be vigilant in that respect and I felt good. I’d done a good individual the day before, so I knew I was in good shape. You start to get tired, but it’s the same for everyone.
“I went ahead of him, telling myself that this was where it was all going to be decided”Hugo Lapalus at Nordic Magazine
- What was your tactic for playing up front?
I started four seconds behind [Johannes Hoesflot] Klæbo and two behind [Jan Thomas] Jenssen. My aim was to catch up with them as quickly as possible and get a shot. I managed to do that with the second guy but I didn’t see Klæbo for the whole race [Laughs]! It took a long time before the race took a turn for the worse. We had a good group for two laps but, even when we were skiing, it didn’t fit at the front and it didn’t fit at the back either. That’s why it’s often in the last two kilometres that everything is decided in a chase.
- The last few hectometres were hotly contested and full of suspense…
On the last lap, [Edvin] Anger put in a big push on the downhill section of the track. It really hurt everyone. We were on our skis and we quickly saw that it was coming in fast on the three athletes in front of us. On the long flat uphill part of the course, I saw that we weren’t far from [Simen Hegstad] Krueger and [Johannes Hoesflot] Klæbo, so I went ahead, telling myself that this was where it all came down to.
- When do you realise that you can get back on the podium?
When I caught up with the leaders, I realised that we were in with a chance of a podium finish. I was confident and really wanted to believe it. In the last climb, I tried to do everything I could to get past [Mika] Vermeulen, thinking that Klæbo was almost farting.
“I want everyone to perform”Hugo Lapalus at Nordic Magazine
- So how would you sum up the first part of the Tour de Ski?
In the end, there’s not much missing but I’m still very happy. We’ve clawed back some time on [Harald Oestberg] Amundsen and there are still some great things. It’s great because Mathis [Desloges] and Rémi [Bourdin] are also having a great race. Richard [Jouve] is in the game too, so that’s cool. However, it’s been more complicated for Jules [Lapierre] and Théo [Schely] and that’s a shame because we have a good group dynamic and it’s a real shame because I want everyone to perform well. There are good times and bad times, but that’s how it is all the time. Things can change quickly and we’re staying focused without giving up because there’s a great Tour de Ski to finish. After that, there’s the Les Rousses stage and I hope we’ll all be back in shape to play and break everything down at home.
Read also
- Hugo Lapalus fifth, Edvin Anger up: the general classification of the Tour de Ski undergoes some changes after the classic pursuit
- Toblach: Hugo Lapalus just off the podium after a crazy race in the classic pursuit of the Tour de Ski
