Johannes Høsflot Klæbo dominated the Skiathlon event held at Val di Fiemme on January 5, 2025, marking yet another significant step toward his quest for a fourth overall victory in the Tour de Ski. The Norwegian skier emerged victorious over Italian Federico Pellegrino and fellow Norwegian Jan Thomas Jensen, extending his lead significantly as the tour nears its culmination atop the demanding Alpe Cermis.
Klæbo, entering the day with a comfortable lead of 1:35 over Sweden's Edvin Anger, and 2:11 over Erik Valnes, approached the Skiathlon strategically. With five days of racing under his belt and the anticipation of the challenging final climb looming, Klæbo's focus was on conserving energy and monitoring his rivals rather than pushing unnecessarily hard. This measured approach paid off as he controlled the pace throughout the race.
The 20 km Skiathlon consisted of 10 kilometers of classic technique followed by 10 kilometers of freestyle, and Klæbo showcased his prowess early on, ensuring he stayed at the front of the pack. The temperatures hovered around -10.5 degrees Celsius, providing optimal waxing conditions, and it took only until Lap 2 for others to feel Klæbo's influence as he moved confidently from the start through the first few laps.
Although there were glimpses of competition, especially from Micha Vermeulen (AUT) and Valnes, Klæbo’s agility on the skis remained unmatched. Notably, this race served as more than just another round of the Tour—it was effectively seen as preliminary groundwork for the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics Skiathlon event. Klæbo’s tactical pace-setting demonstrated his preparedness for the greater tests lying ahead.
Other racers experienced varying levels of success on this challenging day. Pellegrino managed to keep Klæbo within sight, finishing just 2.4 seconds behind. Jensen, completing the podium, was only 3.9 seconds off Klæbo’s time. Meanwhile, Swedish competitors struggled; William Poromaa, who aimed for higher placement, finished 18th and expressed dissatisfaction with his skis and performance. Edvin Anger, who was at one point running second overall, faltered during this event, dropping to 10th place overall post-race.
“I can’t stand here and talk about the skis,” Poromaa said, reflecting the frustration many competitors felt, adding, “I feel I’m pushing more than the skis allow, losing time on parts where I’m traditionally strong.” Similarly, Anger candidly remarked, “It was tough for all Swedes today. I haven’t been there with skating this year like I have been with classic.”
The final lap saw Klæbo make his decisive move, powering up the last hill and creating enough distance to comfortably cross the finish line. His winning time was recorded at 49:29.0, leaving the competition trailing him and confirming his dominance of this Skiathlon event.
With the results from Stage 6, Klæbo has now secured his overall lead in the Tour de Ski, currently 2:18 minutes ahead of Valnes. The stage just completed was pivotal, not only for the points accrued but also as Klæbo prepares for the climactic conclusion expected on Alpe Cermis, projected to test even the most resilient athletes.
This Skiathlon served effectively as both competition and preparation, illustrating how Klæbo's calculated approach may benefit him as he continues his campaign within the Tour and looks toward Olympic gold aspirations. The podium on this ski trail echoed the depth of the talent competing, showcasing the intense national rivalries and the fervent ambition of athletes at the top of their game.
With Klæbo extending his lead and competitors battling fatigue and frustration, the upcoming final hill climb will surely reveal more about the athletes' endurance and skill as they chase victory at the Tour de Ski.