Cross-country skiing: weighing in at every stage of the event for cross-country skiers
A not-to-be-missed winter event, the Tour de Ski kicks off this Sunday in Toblach (Italy). For this all-Italian 2025/2026 edition, the French cross-country ski teams are approaching the event with fifteen cross-country skiers and the desire to perform. Hugo Lapalus has been successful in the last two editions, with two podium finishes in the overall classification, and the men’s approach to the Tour de Ski is one of continuity.
“We approached it in much the same way as we do every year, with impatience and desire after the first period,” explained coach Thibaut Chêne to Nordic Magazine. After a few days spent at home “recharging the batteries”, Les Bleus returned to an event that was as exciting as it was demanding: “A Tour de Ski is always difficult, tiring and full of twists and turns.
The objectives are clear: to make an impact on each stage. ” The aim is to break through in each of the races, to go out and win stages with the forces we have on hand, and to see who can come out on top right up to the last day to play a part in the overall classification,” sums up the coach.
The assessment of the first block is positive from a physical point of view.We’ve been there, we’ve performed well, we’re pretty good physically,” stresses Thibaut Chêne, while regretting the lack of some major results. “We haven’t always been able to put everything together to achieve a very high performance. Faced with a still ultra-dominant Norway, France nevertheless remained in the game with six top 10 finishes, including Lucas Chanavat ‘s victory in the skate sprint in Davos (Switzerland).
This success is also a source of support. “It’s good for everyone. It gives us confidence, desire and a bit more levity,” says the coach, who insists on the need to find the right balance “between seriousness, commitment and relaxation”.
“The aim is really to stack up the races, to give everything on each stage”: the objective of the French cross-country skiers
On the women’s side, Alexandre Pouyé began by putting the Tour de Ski into the context of a busy start to the season. “We’ve got a group that’s been involved in quite a few competitions since the start of the season. There have been selections, and the aim was to have the most competitive group possible for this Tour de Ski,” explains the coach.
So far, the opportunities to score have been limited for this French selection – Mélissa Gal, Léonie Perry, Julie Pierrel, Clémence Didierlaurent, Margot Tirloy and Juliette Ducordeau – who were only present at the Davos stage, with Léonie Perry from Vosges finishing sixth in the individual skate. “For the moment, there haven’t been many chances for this group to perform in the World Cup. It’s been more a case of one-shots, particularly in Davos”, he observes.
“The aim is really to stack up the races, to give everything on each stage,” insists Alexandre Pouyé. Especially as the 2025/2026 format offers a shorter Tour de Ski than usual with six stages, including two sprints. “There will be fewer kilometres of competition. Every kilometre will count,” he insists.
Their objectives are clear: “The aim for them will be to put in at least one big performance in the Tour de Ski, and above all to finish. Success will depend as much on effort management as on the ability to seize opportunities.
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