Stage 1: BLINK24 – Lysebotn Opp Double Poling

Mitsubishi Electric World Classic Tour Season VIII starts tomorrow with Stage 1 – Lysebotn Opp Double Poling! Let’s have a look on the forces at work.

The 7.5 km uphill race in the stunning landscape of Lysefjord is one of the toughest rollerski events in the world, promising to deliver a breathtaking show!

Will anyone be able to dethrone them?

With 27 hairpin turns and an average gradient above 8%, only the best will shine at the top.

Last season’s Lysebotn Opp Double Poling was dominated by Andrew Musgrave and Astrid Øyre Slind, both from Team Aker Dahlie. They will be at the start tomorrow, defending their titles.

There will be many competitors at the start, and you’ll want to keep an eye on those wearing the distinctive bibs:

Thomas JOLY from Team Ramudden and Astrid Øyre Slind from Team Aker Dahlie will start with the CHAMPION bib on their shoulders, as they both won last season’s general standings! Be sure that they will fight hard to keep this prestigious color on for the rest of the summer.

Stian HOELGAARD from Team Aker Dahlie will race with the SPRINT bib on, even tough tommorow’s race won’t award any points for the SPRINT competition.

On the ladie’s side, last summer’s best sprinter was Astrid Øyre Slind, but as she is already in yellow, the bib goes to her sister Silje Øyre Slind who is also from Team Aker Dahlie.

The YOUTH bib reserved for athletes aged 26 or under highlights the future and youth of the peloton. It will be on the shoulders of Alvar MYHLBACK from Lager 157 Ski Team as Thomas JOLY is already in in yellow.

On the women’s side, Hanna LODIN from Team Engcon will wear this bib in the absence of Johanna HÄGSTROM from Sweden.

Don’t miss anything and wtach BLINK24 – Lysebotn Opp Double Poling

• From Norway on NRK
• From Sweden on Expressen

Pictures: BLINK / Aarild Aarnes / Trine Nessler Wichmann