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Conditions parfaites pour cette 39e Dolomitenlauf disputée sur 42km dans la région d'Obertilliach sur un tracé modifié par rapport à l'an passé en raison du manque de neige.
C'est l'Italien Sergio Bonaldi qui s'est imposé assez facilement en faussant compagnie au peloton tôt dans la course. Il devance le Slovaque Bajcicak et Northug qui règle, comme à son habitude, au sprint, le groupe des poursuivants.
Benoit Chauvet prend la 17e place à environ 6 minutes du vainqueur.
La Russe Olga Mikhailova s'impose chez les dames devant l'Estonienne Manimaa et l'Italienne Confortola.
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Les réactions (source FIS) :
Sergio Bonaldi (ITA):
It was a different track this year and it was a much harder course. I knew that this could be an advantage for me so I decided to go very hard already in the beginning and to attack on each uphill in order to get the others tired. About 30km before the finish, I thought I will give it a try and attack real hard to get away from the others. I knew it was a risk because it can be very tiring to do the whole course just by yourself, but in the end it worked out and I am very, very happy! I held the speed high the whole time and I gained some seconds during the whole time. To win this race with a Petter Northug starting as well is something special for me, that's for sure! It's a very prestigious victory!"
Martin Bajcicak (SVK):
"I know that I am strong in uphills so I tried to keep the high speed also in these parts of the track. I knew that it was risky but I gave it a try nevertheless. Sergio was just too strong today so I knew that there is normally no chance to catch him – I was only afraid that they group behind me would come too close so that they could catch me. It was clear, especially with Petter Northug in the group, that, if I would be caught by the group, I would not finish on the podium today. When I saw that Petter was on the start list I said “Well, that was that with a podium today”, so I am the more happy that it worked out nevertheless in the end!"
Petter Northug Jr. (NOR):
"It was a very good race for me. I could come here pretty quickly from my trainig camp in Seiser Alm, so I took the chance to participate. After a week of hard training in altitude my legs weren't the freshest but I had 42km to get into the race. For me, it was perfect that it started to snow. I didn't have perfect skis, so with the snowfall, I had a better chance to stay with the group I was in. I took this race as a preparation and I thought that the group I was in was fighting for 4th place. When I realised that it was about the podium, I pushed hard and counted on my finish sprint. It's always nice to be on the podium so I am happy with the outcome!"
Olga Mikhailova (RUS):
"I have never imagined that I would be able to win this race today. Only when I heard that the other girls were 3 minutes behind me I started to realise that I might be able to win if I hold on to my speed. I really have to thank my team and especially my wax technicians who prepared my skis just perfectly! Our team had 8 feeding stations so I never got dehydrated which helped me a lot to keep up the fast skiing throughout the race. I will now go to Sotchi and the Russian Championships but then I'll return to the FIS Marathon Cup and the König-Ludwig-Lauf."
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Le top 6 :
Hommes - 42 km skating
1. Sergio Bonaldi, Italia 1:50:56,48
2. Martin Bajcicak, Slovakia 1:51:30,83
3. Petter Northug, Norge 1:53:31,58
4. Christian Zorzi, Italia 1:53:32,72
5. Pietro Piller-Cottrer, Italia 1:53:33,51
6. Alan Martinelli, Italia 1:53:33,66
Photos : Nordic Focus
