Tord Asle Gjerdalen, Team XPND Fuel, was looking for his third overall victory in Visma Ski Classics. He had to settle for sixth place but is happy to have taken home the Climb bib competition for the first time.
The inspiration is still at its peak for the merited 38-year-old Norwegian.
“This is so fun, so I am already looking forward to next season,” says Gjerdalen.
Tord Asle Gjerdalen is one of the big profiles in Ski Classics and belongs to the Ski Classics Hall of Fame with his 12 victories throughout his career. Both in season VII 2016-2017 and season VIII 2017-2018 he won the Champion competition and this year he was aiming to be the first to three overall victories on the men’s side. Instead, it was his former teammate Andreas Nygaard who managed that feat.
For the first time, however, Gjerdalen won the Climb bib competition.
“I chased the yellow bib but couldn’t manage it this season. I had some real mistakes and then I was completely without a chance. It’s a bit of a shame but it was very nice to be able to compete for the Climb bib even if it was not the one I was thinking about before the season,” he says.
How do you sum up the whole season?
“It has been an interesting season. It was a little too often a few misses. Now you must do the best you can to get it better in the future. I will try to strengthen the team a bit so we can be more competitive.”
In which races has it felt the best? Was it at the La Venosta Time Trial when you won?
“Yes, that was the day that was the best. It was difficult to know during the race because it was an individual start but the feeling during the race was good, and everything worked well. I would also say that the prologue in Orsa Grönklitt went better than expected. I didn’t win but I was up there. Both races in Toblach were also good.
When was it toughest?
“It often depends on how the skis are. If you have bad skis, you must work so hard, then you are completely without a chance no matter how hard you try,” says Gjerdalen without pointing out exactly which races it was like this for him.
Which athletes have surprised you in the Pro Tour this winter?
“I would say the whole Team Ramudden. Herman Paus has really stepped up to a skier who is at the forefront. Max Novak has shown that he skis fast in the winter as well, and not just on rollerskis in the summer. It was also impressive. And Johannes Eklöf with the finish he had at the top during the Prato Piazza Mountain Challenge. It was also impressive. There he showed something he had not shown in Ski Classics before.”
“In addition to the three, Kasper Stadaas (Team Ragde Charge) has also been strong, but it was perhaps a little more expected.”
How are your thoughts going for the next season? What does the plan look like?
“We are up and running and it feels fun. I like this period of the year when you must make new plans. What to change about training and service team.”
It’s clear that you still have good inspiration. You are craving for more?
“Yes, this is so fun so I’m really looking forward to next season already now.”
How is your training in the near future?
“Now I take it pretty easy for a while before I start up a little later in the spring. It’s nice to focus on something else for a while.”
How do you think about your training plan? Will there be any changes?
“You always have to change a little, but I have not completely decided which way to go. I pick inspiration from different athletes and mix it with my own thoughts.”
Who do you get inspiration from?
“For example, Nils van der Poel (Olympic champion in speedskating) who revealed his entire training schedule. It’s exciting with a person who does something so extreme. It’s interesting to see his approach and that he has done something that almost no one else has done before. I think that’s impressive. It is also interesting to look at what Jakob Ingebrigtsen does.”
“I will see what I can do based on their ideas in my training. There will be no copy of their training but it’s nice to be able to be inspired and pick ideas,” Gjerdalen concludes.
