:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/mentormedier/WTAANQ7CIVG2ZCSQ7FU3YQFILY.jpg "Johannes Høsflot Klæbo won the sprint in Minneapolis – Dagsavisen")
Klæbo seemed unapproachable throughout the competition and did not deny himself in the final either. The Trønder thus followed up two sprint victories in Canadian Canmore with a triumph also on American soil.
– It tastes good. It is a special trail that is rock hard. It is the heaviest park I have walked in, Klæbo told Viaplay after the race.
The performance prompted former cross-country skier Niklas Dyrhaug to bring up the superlatives.
– He masters all types of trails. Johannes is so playful and good technically. Thus, he manages to save energy compared to the rest. You just have to take off your hat, boasted Viaplay expert Dyrhaug.
Impressed by the spectators
The American audience had turned out in droves in Minneapolis. It was a rare American folk festival in cross-country skiing.
– I have to say that it is one of the sickest things I have come across in terms of mood. I hope it is not the last time we will compete here, continued Klæbo.
Håvard Solås Taugbøl and Even Northug were also in the final. The former finished third, while Northug had his podium chance spoiled after breaking his pole.
Valnes-exit
World Cup leader Harald Østberg Amundsen reached the quarter-finals. Pål Golberg did the same.
Erik Valnes was a big disappointment and disappeared already in the prologue.
– It’s a scam, concluded Viaplay expert Niklas Dyrhaug.
Klæbo was clearly the fastest when he won the prologue ahead of his Italian sprint rival Federico Pellegrino, who was also second fastest in the final.
In addition to the sprint double in Canmore, Klæbo demonstrated his strength when he won ahead of French Lucas Chanavat in Goms at the end of January. Chanavat triumphed in both sprints in the Tour de Ski.
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