Iivo Niskanen returned to the World Cup in a wonderful way. Suomalaištahti finally got help.
Iivo Niskanen organized an exciting tactical show in the 20 kilometer co-start race in Les Rousses, France.
Niskanen has usually been seen as the driving force in joint start races, but now he was content to watch what others are doing. During the race, the Suomalaistahtahti often looked around, looking at where the tough Norwegian opponents were.
The joint start race eventually became a proper ski race in Austria Mika Vermeulen and France by Hugo Lapalus with. The duo already kept such a pace in the opening kilometers that the leading group dispersed, which also served Niska.
In recent years, Niskanen has had to work alone and tried to get away from the tough Norwegians.
Niskanen finally attacked in the last three laps. In the last round he, Norway Simen Hegstad Krüger and Sweden William Poromaa would tear from others. At the end, we saw the Finland-Sweden international match, which ended in Poromaa’s favor.
For Niskanen, who finished second, the award place was the third of the season. In total, he has 24 World Cup podiums.
– That’s fine. It was a good fight. The Swedes were good today in both men and women, Niskanen pointed out Frida Karlsson and Ebba Andersson to a double win in the women’s race.
The tactic worked
Niskanen’s condition was a big focus, as he competed this weekend for the first time since mid-December.
– It felt good to finish. I thought I’d spin one more bend to the bow. However, I didn’t get past and got to challenge at the end.
Niskanen admitted that he had a clear strategy for the race. Many competitors picked up bonus points, but the Finn did not hesitate.
– There was no holding on to the wall. The plan was to take the steep parts in peace and gather strength until the end. I tried to go harder in steady bursts when my own shot goes off.
– The goal was not to collect bonus points, so I was able to look back in peace. The track was really steep.
In the game
Niskanen did not jump for joy after the second place.
– I’m not satisfied with my ranking, but the race was good. It was not set in stone that I would go here. When I compare to the previous three weeks, the prize place is quite good.
The Norwegians did not have the best day. For example, experienced Paul Golberg was in big trouble. France, however, was missing several top Norwegian names.
– The Norwegians didn’t even have the best tricks today, Niskanen reminded.
Niskanen does not speculate on what the investment would have been if, for example Johannes Hösflot Kläbo and Harald Östberg Amundsen would have been involved.
– The Norwegians also had big divisions. Kläbo is tough on a tough day in a race like this. I’m happy that I’m in the game and the mood feels good.