Johaug was 8.89 seconds behind the winning Italian Federica Casson. Only 1.75 was needed to make the quarterfinals. It was a very good receipt for the long-distance phenomenon who made a comeback this season. Few believed that she would be so close.
– It’s simply hard and brutal when you haven’t done it in four, five years, but I’m very happy with the prologue. I couldn’t have expected anything better, says Johaug after his race.
When we met in Oslo last fall, you were absolutely ready not to run the Tour de Ski. Why did you change your mind?
– I felt that I needed competitions, says Johaug and quickly hurries on in the sunshine in Toblach, Italy.
Afraid to be 20 seconds behind
For Norwegian NRK, Johaug developed her views on today’s sprint, her weakest part of the tour.
– I was eight seconds behind the prologue winner, but actually feared being closer to 20 seconds behind. I feel that the form is good, and I’m just looking forward to the distance races, says Johaug.
She beat a disappointed Ebba Andersson, one of the contenders in the overall, by over four seconds.
NRK’s expert Martin Johnsrud Sundby criticizes Johaug for starting in the tour and thinks she should have been at home and trained instead.
– I think I know my body better than he does, says Johaug about the test of strength with seven races in nine days.