This Sunday’s Jizerská50 in the Czech Republic is the eighth stage in the Visma Ski Classics Season XII and the second Grand Classics event. The women start at 7:50 CET, and the men get into action at 8:00 CET.
The 50-kilometer race is one of the most demanding on the Pro Tour circuit with two challenging Climb competition checkpoints: Na Knejpé, at 11km into the race, and Smutna Louka at 32km.
The day starts with a long climb at the beginning of the race, followed by a downhill section, before another long climb that takes the Pro Tour skiers to the second climb checkpoint. Many Pro Team Athletes consider this course one of the most challenging on the circuit, and with the snowy weather conditions the last couple of days, the track conditions will probably be quite tricky.
Max Novak, Team Ramudden, second place at the Champion competition, will wear the yellow bib tomorrow, after Kasper Stadaas, Team Ragde Charge, absence due to sickness.
Novak is one of the favorites and already showed the speed necessary to win Jizerská50 after winning Benzina Orlen Sprint.
Emil Persson, Lager 157 Ski Team, won the race last year, and it seems that he can repeat the feat tomorrow after showing good form with a second-place at yesterday’s sprint.
Another potential candidate for the win is Ermil Vokuev, Russian Winter Team, who had an impressive win at Marcialonga two weeks ago, and the tough course suits him well. Andreas Nygaard, Team Ragde Charge, is in good shape, and the Jizerská50 finish fits him perfectly.
In addition, we can anticipate some great performances and a good fight for top places from Tord Asle Gjerdalen, Team XPND Fuel and Stian Hoelgaard, Team Curira, to name a few of the top Pro Tour skiers.
Marcialonga winner Ida Dahl, Team Ramudden, is a favorite to win the race on Sunday due to her impressive performance performances this season in the women’s field.
Dahl is one of the favorites, but there are at least three more potential podium skiers. We can mention Astrid Øyre Slind, Team Koteng Eidissen, second at Marcialonga after her comeback from Covid-19; and Lina Korsgren, Team Ramudden, who had a decisive win at last weekend’s Visma Ski Classics Challengers König Ludwig Lauf. Britta Johansson Norgren, Lager 157 Ski Team, is another top favorite and is looking forward to taking back the yellow bib.
GRAND CLASSICS
Jizerská50 marks the second Grand Classics event, Season XII. The Grand Classics events are the four largest and most prestigious events in Visma Ski Classics: Marcialonga, Jizerská50, Vasaloppet, and Birkebeinerrennet. For now, only Ida Dahl and Ermil Vokuev can complete a Grand Slam, win all four Grand Classics, and guarantee 100.000 euros in prize money.
On the road to the Visma Grand Classics Trophy award, Ida Dahl, Team Ramudden, leads the women’s overall with 300 points. In the second place, Astrid Øyre Slind, Team Koteng Eidissen, with 255 points, followed by Lina Korsgren, Team Ramudden, in third place with 225 points.
Ermil Vokuev, Russian Winter Team, is leading with 300 points after his Marcialonga win in the men’s competition. Kasper Stadaas, Team Ragde Charge, follows in second place with 255 points. Maxim Vylegzhanin, Russian Winter Team, with 225 points, is in the third position.
Don’t miss out on the event, available on Ski Classics Play. The women start at 7:50 CET, followed by the men at 8:00 CET.
JIZERSKÁ50 – FACTS
- Location: Bedřichov
- Date: Sunday, February 13
- Start Time: Women 7:50 CET / Men 8:00 CET
- Distance: 50km Classic Technique
- Visma Ski Classics Sprints: Jizerka – 23km
- Visma Ski Classics Climbs: Na Knejpé – 11km, Smutna Louka – 32km
- Highest Peak: 861m
- Total Climbing: 999m
Jizerská50 program, start lists, and live streaming on SC Play can be found here.
JIZERSKÁ50 – MAPS
