Out of reach: Klæbo wins Tour de Ski 2021/22
Jan 04, 2022·Cross-Country
For the final stage of the Men’s COOP FIS Tour de Ski presented by Le Gruyère, 57 men were still on the start list of the 111 starters were originally entered for the Tour in Lenzerheide, 5 stages ago. The final stage traditionally faced the Final Climb from the Lago di Tesero stadium up to Alpe Cermis in the beautiful Val di Fiemme (ITA). The 400m altitude difference was to be climbed on the Alpine slope course that was ready for the worlds elite skiers.
THE FINAL CLIMB
Within eight days, the starters conquer six stages of World Cup racing. The climb up to Alpe Cermis is the cherry on top for all talented climbers amongst the athletes.
Once the Men’s field reached the steep uphills to Cermis, it was Sjur Røthe from Norway who took over the lead. The 33 year-old who already caught a podium spot in the Oberstdorf 15km F during the Tour had the Russian Denis Spitsov on his heels but did not give any chances.
Sjur managed to keep up the pace throughout the climb so that the successors lost the connection. With a time of 31:42.1, Røthe crossed the finish line 2 seconds before last years Final Climb winner Denis Spitsov. Denis was fighting every meter as he was eyeing with a podium finish in the Overall Tour ranking.
The big surprise on the podium was third placed Friedrich Moch, who celebrates also his maiden World Cup podium. The 21 year-young German “gave it a try” as he stated after his race. For Moch it is the first completed Tour de Ski and his only 16th World Cup race overall.
Moch is joined by his team colleague Lucas Bögl who finishes 11 seconds off the podium and just before the athlete wearing the yellow bib, Johannes Høsflot Klæbo.
TOUR DE SKI OVERALL
Johannes Høsflot Klæbo from Norway entered the race in the leading yellow bib and knew how to approach this brutal final stage. For the second time after the Tour de Ski 2018/19, the young Norwegian manages to claim the Overall victory.
With a two minute time margin, the 25 year-old had a comfortable head start in regards to the Overall Tour ranking but still did not allow anyone to get close up to his leading time.
Alexander Bolshuov (RUS) who won the Tour de Ski in the last two seasons, ended the Tour in second place with a total of 2:03 minutes gap to Klæbo. The defending Champion might have hoped for more but could not catch up precious seconds to his contender. Nevertheless, the time gap to third placed Iivo Niskanen is remarkable.
Niskanen can look back on a successful series of Tour stages with a victory on the 15km C in Lenzerheide and a 2nd place in the 15km Mass Start in Val di Fiemme. Niskanen finished with 3:14 seconds to Klæbo and claimed the third podium spot in the Overall ranking by just 7 seconds before Denis Spitsov.
Tour de Ski Point Standing
Johannes Høsflot Klæbo also led the ranking of the most successful athletes who collected the Points throughout the competitions of the Tour de Ski. Second placed is Erik Valnes (NOR) and third Alexander Bolshunov (RUS) with 31 – resp. 41 points behind Klæbo.
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