In brilliant weather, strong Nygaard finished best in the old mining town of Sulitjelma in Fauske municipality.
Towards the end, he was joined by, among others, Klæbo, Petter Northug, Didrik Tønseth and Max Novak in the lead.
Novak took second place ahead of another long-distance runner, home hopeful Vebjørn Moen. Klæbo then followed.
– I am extremely happy to beat Klæbo in a sprint. You don’t often do that, Moen told Avisa Nordland after the finish line.
– It turned out as I feared. Even if you have staked a lot in your life, it is something completely different to ask after having staked four miles, said Klæbo.
Northug had a hard time at the end and reached the finish line a few seconds behind the very best. He finished in seventh place. In the place in front of him he had Finn Hågen Krogh.
Tønseth was number five.
Klæbo, for his part, had to see the podium in what was his first race since his return to the national team became known earlier this week.
The copper run is 43 kilometers long.
The women’s class was won by debutant Hedda Østberg Amundsen.
Published 20/04/2024, at 11.57 Updated 20.04.2024, at 12.04