The World Championship king Johannes Høsflot Klæbo was out of strike in the 20-kilometer race in classical style in Holmenkollen, but Norway has, as is well known, an enormous breadth at the top on the men's side in the World Cup.
Martin Løwstrøm Nyenget, who unfortunately fell when everything was to be decided during the 50 km race at the World Championship, was completely superior at home. The Norwegian was a whole 51 seconds ahead of William Poromaa at the finish.
"Damn tempo"
Martin set a damn tempo and drove away with about 20 seconds after half the race. Then I realized that he would be hard to keep up with, but I heard that it was tight with the others about the podium places, says Poromaa to Viaplay.
It was an individual start, but with a strong sprint, Poromaa could snatch the second place. He was two seconds ahead of Norwegian Simen Hegstad Krüger at the finish. Behind them, Harald Østberg Amundsen and Pål Golberg took care of fourth and fifth place for the home nation.
I'm damn pleased, if someone had said beforehand that I would be second here, I probably wouldn't have believed it, says William Poromaa.
It was Poromaa's seventh podium finish in his career in the World Cup. In January this year, the Swede took his first – and so far only – victory when he won the mass start over 20 kilometers in classical style in French Les Rousses.
Klæbo far behind
A week ago, the 24-year-old took World Championship silver on the 50 km race in Trondheim and he apparently managed to recharge.
I have had hopes, of course, but I haven't expected so much. I have just tried to recharge as well as I can and the focus has mostly been on recovery. I think it felt pretty good. I had good skis and thought I could go on.
The superior World Championship king Johannes Høsflot Klæbo – six out of six possible golds – drained his powers in Trondheim. Klæbo was over two minutes behind the winner and finished in 14th place.
Star shot Edvin Anger also had a tough day and finished in 40th place. Dark horse Leo Johansson became the second-best Swede in 26th place.
On Sunday, 10 kilometers of freestyle await in Holmenkollen.
