Nyenget conquers Klæbo to start season with a bang

Martin Loewstroem Nyenget (NOR) opened the 2025/26 FIS Cross-Country World Cup with victory in the men’s 10 km interval start classic in Ruka, Finland, defeating fellow Norwegian superstar Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo by a narrow margin.

Starting strongly, Nyenget led Klaebo by 7.7 seconds at the halfway point and still held a 1.9-second advantage at the 8.1 km time check. Despite fading slightly on the final loop and tricky grip on the steep climbs, he held on at the line for his sixth individual World Cup win. Klaebo, who dominated the 2024/25 season with 13 World Cup victories and six golds at the world championships, finished second after briefly moving ahead of early leader Mika Vermeulen.

Vermeulen, pleased with his form after summer training and recovery from altitude effects, secured third and called the podium “insane,” noting his journey from former Nordic combined athlete to classic-distance World Cup medalist on Ruka’s demanding track.

Klaebo described the race as “okay” amid challenging waxing and uphill grip, but said it was a good season start and praised the tight duel with Nyenget. The Ruka weekend continues with the classic sprint on Saturday.