Cross-country skiing | “It was another crazy fight”: one year later, Hugo Lapalus once again took his place on the podium in the general classification of the Tour de Ski | Nordic Mag | No. 1 Biathlon

Cross-country skiing: the Tour de Ski is more successful than ever for Hugo Lapalus

This French cross-country ski team has heart and Hugo Lapalus proved it again this Sunday on the terrifying slopes of theAlpe Cermis (Italy). In the running to climb onto the podium of the general classification of the Tour de Ski before this legendary last event, the tricolor once again delivered an excellent performance during the transalpine ascent.

High-performance and among the best on this nineteenth edition, the Haut-Savoyard threw its last strength into the battle in the middle of the afternoon to finish fourth at the top of the track usually used for alpine skiing. An excellent result which allowed him to rise to the third position overall of the tour.

A year after going up there for the first time, Cluse achieved a feat that no French founder had yet achieved until then in climbing twice in a row in the top 3 of this legendary event. For Nordic Magazinehe agreed to recount this wonderful day with emotion.

• First of all, how did you approach this last, decisive day for the general classification of the Tour de Ski?

I found myself in a bit of the same configuration as last year with the possibility of getting on the podium of the Tour de Ski at the end of this last stage. It was still very stressful this morning with the long wait before the race. But that’s also part of the thing! It was another crazy fight and it was great. A lot has happened. It ends well and that’s still the main thing.

• Have you already established a specific tactic for this climb?

What was needed was to already be positioned at the exit of the stadium and along the entire crossing before the climb. It was really important so I tried to stay placed. Afterwards, on the climb, I knew that I had to be in the skis of the guys who were going to play like [Simen Hegstad] Krueger or Friedrich Moch who were really going to play the stage since they no longer had anything to gain overall. [Mika] Vermeulen was also in the mix because he is very fit at the moment. I knew roughly who to target. Once it started, I had to put my skis on and hold on as long as possible to see if those behind would fall for the general.

• How did you manage this event despite the fatigue of seven races in nine days?

I already felt tired this morning. Afterwards, I think it was the same for everyone. It’s a bit up to whoever manages recovery best. I set off in Mika and Simen’s skis and quickly saw that it was a good wagon. I also saw that behind it, things were starting to fizzle a little. I was well informed about [Haavard] Moseby et [Erik] Valnes, who were direct competitors in the ranking.

• You lost ground at the end of the course… What are the causes?

Unfortunately, I straddled a gate placed on a bend. This caused me to fall and I lost contact with the two in front. I tried to go back straight away, but that didn’t work. So, it penalizes me a little to compete for the podium of the day. But that’s how it is and that’s the game. I just had to be more careful. The most important thing remained the general classification.

• Were you aware that you could become the first Frenchman to get on the overall podium two years in a row?

I didn’t have that in mind but it sure is always nice. Either way, we are going to achieve the best possible result with this whole team. It is also important to repeat good results. It makes everyone happy and it’s a great reward for all the work that has been done behind it too.

• You have to believe that the presence of your friends from Team Farté definitely gives you wings…

It’s clear that when they are there, I have the impression that it scores well. So I asked them to come every weekend [Rires] ! It’s going to be complicated for them with work. More seriously, it’s sure that it’s always crazy when you can share with friends. It adds something extra. They drive seven hours to come over the weekend to see us so it’s really nice of them. When you have a little difficulty in the bump, it adds a little something extra that feels good.

• Was it special not to share this with the whole team, decimated by injuries in recent days?

It’s definitely different because it’s not shared with the rest of the team and the guys we train with all year round and see all the time. There is the staff who are there, that’s for sure, but a small part of the team is missing when there are no longer any athletes. And that’s a bit of a shame. But the most important thing is that they get back on their feet well for the future. In any case, all the staff were there and all the friends so it was great.

• This new excellent performance should make you eager for the rest of the hostilities…

We will indeed rest a little before [Rires]. But for the future, it’s going to be great. There is the Rousses stage which arrives quite quickly. You’ll have to be ready to put your skis back on. We’re going to try to have fun and perform at home. It’s always nice to run at home. We will use the public who will be there to encourage us.

• What overall assessment of your start to winter can you make?

It sure feels good to end the first part like that. The Tour de Ski was clearly the objective. The start of the season was mixed but afterwards, it quickly got back on its feet with the sequence of the skiathlon in Lillehammer and the podium in Davos. I arrived at the Tour de Ski already with a little more serenity. There has been regularity and that is really important. This is what I am looking for by always wanting to be placed. We’ve done a month and a half, there are two or even two and a half left. You must not give up and do what you know how to do. There will be big goals at the Worlds. It’s motivating and makes you want to look for more!

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