Krista Pärmäkoski and Kerttu Niskane have a great view of the Tour de Ski finale – Toni Roponen reminds of Pärmäkoski’s strength

Men’s tight overall situation surprised Urheilu expert Toni Roposen. Simen Hegstad Krüger still has the potential to unseat Johannes Kläbo.

Krista Pärmäkoski and Kerttu Niskanen leaving great settings for the final wrinkle of the Tour de Ski on Friday.

The 32-year-old Pärmäkoski, who usually has a great time on the tour, was second in both races in Oberstdorf and finished fourth in the overall race, 1 minute and 41 seconds behind the tour leader, Sweden About Frida Karlsson.

Pärmäkoski did one of his best free skiing on Wednesday and was second in the 20 km race. The essential thing was that in the overall race he was able to close the gap to the Norwegians in second and third place Tiril Udnes to Weng and Anne Kjersti Kalvåån. Weng is only 13 seconds ahead of Pärmäkoski.

– Krista raised her shares unbelievably nicely with the overall tour over the course of two days. The fact that he was able to perform so well in the free 20 kilometers compared to the rest of the group is proof of his excellent condition. At the moment, the battle for second place looks realistic, Urheilu’s expert Toni Roponen anneal.

Roponen also reminds Kerttu Niskanen of the good overall situation. Niskanen started the Tour convincingly, but the previous two races have been tight for the Olympic runner-up. In the pursuit race in Oberstdorf, he was only 15th.

However, the 34-year-old Finn is fifth in the overall race and only 14 seconds away from Pärmäkoski.

– There are still two such women in Finland who have a realistic chance of fighting for entry into the top three.

– We have to remember that Kerttu was in top condition on Sunday. Small margins matter, and not every race has top equipment. It can suddenly happen that the next two races are good for Kertu, Roponen thinks.

The Pärmäkoski experience

The last wrinkle of the Tour takes place as usual in Italy’s Val di Fiemme, where there are three races on the program. There will be traditional sprints on Friday and traditional joint starts on Saturday. The Tour culminates on Sunday with the free race and the final ascent of Alpe Cermis.

Compared to Karlsson and the Norwegian duo, Pärmäkoski’s advantage is abundant experience from a heavy tour.

– Krista has often been able to stretch out of bad situations. It features two relatively inexperienced Tour visitors: Kalvå and Tiril Udnes Weng. In the big picture, Kristalla has a great place to strike to fight for the top ranking.

Roponen believes that both Finns can ski a traditional sprint well when tired.

As for Karlsson, the overall situation seems great.

– According to all logic, no one can challenge Frida. However, it is known that with one unlucky lubrication, the competition changes completely. Nothing is announced before the final climb of Alpe Cermis, but Frida has all the keys to victory with a basic performance.

A tickling situation in the men’s race

Johannes Höfslot Kläbo is still the biggest favorite to win the men’s overall race. However, the differences are surprisingly small.

Kläbo leads the tour by only 12 seconds ahead of Italy Federico Pellegrino. Nine men are within 37 seconds of each other.

Simen Hegstad Krüger has generally been very strong on the final climb of the Tour de Ski.

– I expected that the skiers of the normal distance are not in such a good position at this point. Krüger and Didrik Tönseth succeeded in the sprint so well that they got into the traditional chase from good positions. This will be a tight race until the end.

Roponen sees an interesting duel between Kläbo and Krüger. Krüger is only 32 seconds behind Kläbo.

– According to my preliminary planning, Kläbo needs a 45-60 second lead compared to Krüger before the last stage. Although the men’s race is, as it were, “clear” for Kläbo, mistakes must not be made, and especially not in lubrication. Compared to the time differences, the men’s race has become more even than I expected.

For the Finnish men, the Tour de Ski has gone poorly. Perttu Hyvärinen is 22nd as the best Finn in the overall race.

– The overall contribution of the Finns is disappointing. I expected more from Finnish men as a whole, and I’m not talking Iivo from Niskas. “Ober” had two difficult days.