Team Ragde Charge is never shy about making its priorities clear. With Grand Classics victories at Vasaloppet, Marcialonga, and Birkebeinerrennet during Season XVI, the Pro Team once again proved it knows how to peak when it matters most.
As the new season approaches, Pro Team Director Magnar Dalen shares his perspective on the Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XVII calendar, new race formats, and Team Ragde Charge’s continued focus on the sport’s biggest events.
About the New Calendar
Dalen shares a frank perspective on the structure of the upcoming season.
“The season is too back-heavy and ends too early. We would prefer to have three races before Christmas and compete every second weekend,” says Pro Team Director Magnar Dalen to Ski Classics and ProXCskiing.com.
“After a marathon, you need to recover. Athletes figured this out years ago. And we miss racing in April — that’s when you typically get the best weather and snow conditions in Scandinavia.”
Also Read: Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XVII 2025/2026
New Formats
This season introduces the Bedřichov Sprint in the Czech Republic and the 50km Individual Time Trials (ITTs) in Grönklitt, Sweden. While Dalen sees potential in one, he questions the value of the other.
“Our wish is to have all races to be at least 50 kilometers. Sprint races belong to the World Cup.”
As for the ITTs, he’s more optimistic:
“A 50km individual start is interesting — but not just a few days after Vasaloppet and five days before Birkebeinerrennet. That format would have been perfect before Christmas. Additionally, skating is a significant issue in Ski Classics. With individual starts, how do you control that?”
A Season of Big Wins
At the Pro Tour Season XVI (2024/2025), Team Ragde Charge once again delivered on the sport’s biggest stages.
“We won Vasaloppet with Stina, Marcialonga with Andreas, and Birkebeinerrennet with both Stina and Andreas,” says Dalen, highlighting these victories as the team’s proudest achievements of the season.
Also Read – Stina Nilsson: “It’s been a fantastic year”
Goals and Vision for Season XVII
Dalen is crystal clear about what matters most to Team Ragde Charge heading into the new season:
“Our goal is to try and win Vasaloppet, Marcialonga, Birkebeinerrennet, and Jizerská. These are the races that matter most for us and our sponsors. The Team Competition and various bibs are secondary.”
Also Read: Final Ski Classics standings Season XVI – All bib winners
Roster Updates and Sprint Firepower
The Pro Team enters the new season with some roster changes — both losses and exciting additions.
“We believe our new male skiers, Taugbøl and Gunnulfsen, will be interesting to follow. Both are strong in a sprint to the finish line,” Dalen says.
He also acknowledges key departures:
“We’re a bit sad to lose Stadaas and Rolid, but like in football, business is business. Economics is an important and challenging aspect of elite sports. We thank them for their hard work and results and wish them all the best in their new team.”
A Look to the Future
Dalen also takes a moment to suggest ideas that could improve the sport.
“We think a team competition based on two men and two women would be very interesting.”
And he proposes a rethink on how bib competitions are decided:
“It’s important that not all races count. If only your ten best results were counted, it would be more fair. Athletes get sick during the season — they shouldn’t feel pressured to race while sick or half-sick.”
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Author: Leandro Lutz
Photo: Reichert/NordicFocus
