Called into huddle after Sundby-collapse – NRK

– We discussed what happened yesterday and let a battle plan, says Niklas Dyrhaug.

There was a discussion about whether teammates could have done more to help tour- leader Martin Johnsrud Sundby when he got there blytungt at Wednesday’s 15 km.

team tactics is not just prevalent in cross country, but it tends to be a topic during the Tour de Ski.

– Dull

It is not entirely simple matter: The runners believe it is far less able to influence the team tactics than as cycling. Moreover, most people want obviously to go for own chances in individual races as well.

But after the disappointing 23-square to Sundby met several of master runners to talk about how they can solve the team tactics on the Tour de Ski, and together ensure that Norway gets a runner at the top of the podium.

15 KM: It was on Wednesday’s 15 km mass start Martin Johnsrud Sundby got it tough.

Photo: Pedersen, Terje / NTB scanpix

Secret

They’ll reasons of competition not reveal exactly what they agreed, but it is natural to imagine that they have talked about the possibility of slowing or pick up the pace in the field as appropriate – and that some may be responsible for lying in front of Sundby and drag.

– We have discussed what happened now in retrospect . It was boring, but it was not easy to predict that it would happen, says Sjur Røthe.

– Were you adequately prepared?

– Yes . We had a long meeting about tactics after the World Cup in Lillehammer, where different scenarios were discussed. Our goal as a team to win the Tour de Ski. It is planned to protect Martin mass start, explains Røthe.

New discussion until Saturday

Teams Head Vidar Løfshus are unsure if there was more team could have done Wednesday. Sundby had bad skis and an overall heavy day.

– But we will have a new discussion before the race on Saturday and make sure it is not put some speed into the front.

Saturday is the embedded sprints where there are 15 bonus seconds to compete for per demand. It may be necessary to ask the others to try and get Sundby first of these.

– We’ll take it as it comes, but I think in any case it will be many red, white and blue boys going to fight for the sprints, says Løfshus.

Løfshus are really happy to play Norway drove yesterday.

– It worked eventually. The last half lap there was no Norwegian who went in front, and there were plenty of ridges that Martin could hang on, he said.