Cross-country skiing: Les Bleus could do nothing in the final package
Beaten in the sprint in Planica (Slovenia) in 2023, the French were keen to get back on the podium in the men’s relay at the cross-country skiing world championships. But on Thursday, in the rain of Trondheim (Norway), things unfortunately didn’t go according to plan for Thibaut Chêne’s men.
Still within touching distance of the medals from the first relay of Rémi Bourdin, a novice in this exercise at this level, Hugo Lapalus and Jules Lapierre then failed to make the difference to gain precious seconds on their rivals despite brave attempts.
Mathis Desloges, who was also thrown into the deep end as a finisher, found himself up against sprint specialists such as Valerio Grond and Edvin Anger. Although he too was aware of the need to make a difference before the final sprint, the man from the Isère region was unable to make his mark.
And the predictable scenario at the start of this final stint unfolded. By accelerating a few metres from the finish, the Swiss and the Swede distanced the Frenchman to fight it out for the last two places left on the box behind the invincible Norwegians.
It was a major disappointment for the French team, who are still chasing their first medal at this 2025 edition of the World Championships. Fourth with Jules Chappaz in the sprint skate, sixth in the skiathlon with Mathis Desloges, eleventh in the individual classic with Hugo Lapalus and fifth the day before in the team sprint with Jules Chappaz and Richard Jouve, France now has just one cartridge left to try and win a long-awaited medal in the legendary 50-kilometre race scheduled for this weekend.
Norway unbeaten in thirteen editions
At the head of the race, Norway did not tremble. The great favourite of the day, the Nordic kingdom did what it does best in its sport. With a dream team comprisingErik Valnes, Martin Loewstroem Nyenget, Harald Oestberg Amundsen and Johannes Hoesflot Klæbo, the Scandinavians broke away from the first stint of the day.
A gap that continued to grow in the chasing group, enabling the Norwegian team to be crowned for the thirteenth time in a row in this men’s race. Celebrated by a furious crowd, Johannes Hoesflot Klæbo took the opportunity to win his fifth gold medal in as many races.
Behind them, Switzerland also had a great time. Never before on the podium at a world championships in this relay format, the Swiss nation saw Cyril Faehndrich, Jonas Baumann, Jason Rueesch and Valerio Grond enjoy a state of grace to claim silver. This historic medal was won after a competition that was mastered from start to finish.
Beaten by Valerio Grond, Edvin Anger nonetheless did what was essential to enable Sweden to claim the bronze medal. Lining up alongside Truls Gisselman, William Poromaa and Jens Burman, the best U23 rider on the circuit used all his power in the final to help his nation take the third and final available step in the top 3. Third place means the Swedes are back in the box for the first time since the 2017 Worlds in Lahti (Finland).
Read also
- Trondheim: the French team with Rémi Bourdin, Hugo Lapalus, Jules Lapierre and Mathis Desloges on the Worlds relay team
- “I was ready for the fight”: Rémi Bourdin no longer outside the top 15 at the Trondheim World Championships
- “I’m not looking for excuses”: a lot of disappointment for Hugo Lapalus after the individual classic at the world championships
- Offensive and eleventh in the skiathlon at the Worlds, Hugo Lapalus wanted to be out in front in Trondheim: “I had to try today”.
- “I’m already looking forward to the next race”: sixth in the skiathlon at the World Championships, Mathis Desloges finished 9 tenths away from a medal.
- “We have an even stronger team”: Jules Lapierre is ambitious before the start of the Trondheim Worlds
