Klæbo holds off the field — rising star Lars Heggen impresses again and nears Olympic selection

Johannes Høsflot Klæbo held off the field — rising star Lars Heggen impressed again and nears an Olympic spot

By Espen Blaker — updated 01/01/2026 12:08 CET

On the fourth stage of the Tour de Ski Johannes Høsflot Klæbo put the rest of the field in the shade, but the real story behind the leader was the fight for places behind him.

Twenty-year-old Lars Heggen started close to Klæbo and, even though he was caught by a larger chasing group early, the Harestua skier continued to impress in the Italian woods. He dug in with the chasers and finished seventh, one minute behind Klæbo.

Viaplay expert Niklas Dyrhaug described Heggen as having arrived “like fireworks” and suggested this Tour could turn into a breakthrough for the youngster. Heggen was second in the first Tour sprint (behind Klæbo) and with Saturday’s second sprint stage he has a good chance to regain second overall. The Norwegian federation has hinted one of the remaining Olympic spots could go to a sprinter — Heggen is now the leading candidate and a strong result on Saturday would bolster his case further.

Mattis Stenshagen also strengthened his Olympic prospects on New Year’s Day. The 29-year-old — winner of Monday’s 10 km classic — broke away from the other chasers just after halfway and closed more than half a minute on Klæbo in the final kilometres, finishing 51 seconds behind the leader and ten seconds ahead of the rest of the group. “I feel it in my body. I know I’m in great shape,” Stenshagen told Viaplay.

Emil Iversen was the third-best Norwegian in the race, taking fifth and delivering another solid Olympic application. Andreas Fjorden Ree and Simen Hegstad Krüger also had good days, each clawing 18 seconds back on Klæbo and improving their positions in the overall standings — though their chances of national selection may already be limited.

Erik Valnes, by contrast, had a dreadful day. The 29-year-old said after the stage that it was “perhaps the worst day on skis of my life.” He lost almost two and a half minutes to Klæbo on the stage; having started the day ninth overall (1:16 behind), he crossed the line 3:39 behind and indicated he is likely to abandon the Tour.

Stage notes:

• Klæbo controlled the race and kept the leader’s jersey.
• Lars Heggen finished seventh and remains a strong Olympic sprint candidate.
• Mattis Stenshagen moved up with a strong ride, finishing 51 seconds behind Klæbo.
• Emil Iversen, Andreas Fjorden Ree and Simen Hegstad Krüger improved their Tour positions.
• Erik Valnes had a very poor stage and may withdraw from the Tour de Ski.

The Tour continues Saturday with the second sprint stage, where Heggen will have another opportunity to consolidate his claim for an Olympic sprint spot.