Until recently, it seemed that the upcoming season would be a cakewalk for Johannes Klebo. When the sports authorities announced the suspension of Russian athletes, the Norwegian skier’s chances of success increased – he was left with virtually no competitors. However, recently the situation has not looked so rosy for the champion …

Klebo’s pre-season training is not going according to plan. Following the suspension of the July collection and a long pause, he risks being left without a trip to the US highlands.

Now the skier can not stand even a 15-minute run. Will the new season turn into a failure for the champion?

Constant failure

This off-season, Johannes negotiated a contract with the federation for more than two months, trying to get the most comfortable conditions for himself. He asked to put on the salary of his serviceman – and his demand was satisfied. He wanted high-mountain training separately from the team – the Norwegians agreed to this as well. With the support of his coach Arild Monsen, who works with the national team, he created ideal conditions for himself to take all the gold at the future World Championships in Planica. Without Bolshunov, this outcome looks quite real!

However, now all the difficulties that Klebo created federations seem to be returning to him like a boomerang. In mid-July, Johannes felt discomfort in his right leg, which forced him to suspend the training process.

Johannes Klebo / Photo: © Personal archive of Johannes Klebo

The 26-year-old Norwegian tried to take advantage of this pause by leaving with his girlfriend to rest in Monaco. But after returning, the situation did not improve. Since the beginning of August, doctors have announced the need to take a break for a couple of months. Johannes, however, still expected to compete in the summer competitions, but now he is still far from his best form.

“Had to give up after 15 minutes”

The end of August is the time of the best roller ski marathons in Scandinavia: Toppidrettsveka (54 km) in Norway and Alliansloppet (48 km) in Sweden. These events are a real celebration of sports for Norwegians and Swedes, and an important opportunity for the world’s elite to test their readiness for the season.

Klebo also planned a start in Trondheim for himself, but his capabilities raise many questions:

— It was the first time in almost two months that I decided to run. It wasn’t a very good experience. I had to give up after fifteen minutes. Then I felt that this was enough, – Johannes shares his emotions.

Johannes Klebo / Photo: © Personal archive of Johannes Klebo

However, he is still going to start the marathon on August 25:

For now, I will only bet on long distances. I’m excited to see how it turns out. A Friday sprint is out of the question,” he says.

“Preparations are not going according to plan”

It is obvious that the king of the sprint cannot yet be happy with what is happening. He is not yet ready for high-speed work due to an injury, there is also no clarity with further training camps:

Winter preparations are not going according to plan! Constantly new tests of patience. And I still don’t know if I will go to the planned high-mountain camp.

Klebo’s flight to the US is scheduled for Sunday, August 28, but five days before departure, he’s not sure if that would make sense:

“My body needs to work well so that I can ride, and I will learn more about this after the races,” concludes the skier.

According to the original plan, he was supposed to spend three weeks in Park City – this is the first of four locations for his high-mountain gatherings. It was after the success of the Russian team at the Beijing Olympics that the Norwegian focused his attention on long-term training at altitude and diligently sought the appropriate opportunity from the federation.

However, now there is no certainty that high-mountain practice will save Klebo’s preseason. Whether the Olympics ended, whether Bolshunov’s absence, something influenced the work of the skier, so strange things are happening to Johannes this summer.