By Johan Trygg
During the past week, Team Ragde Charge has trained hard in the brothers Aukland’s home area in Tønsberg just south of Oslo.
“We had a very good week with a lot of training, including three really tough training sessions,” says Pro Team Director Jørgen Aukland.
There are some new things in the brothers Aukland’s Pro Team ahead of Visma Ski Classics season XII. We recently learned that the Pro Team’s new name is Team Ragde Charge - where the team will be front figures in the Ragde Group’s latest investment in charging and green mobility.
It was also recently announced that the Pro Team has a new clothing supplier in Trimtex. Now the athletes can be seen on the roads in the Tønsberg area in new red suits.
The Old Man and the... Anders Aukland and Andreas Nygaard are happy to train together. Photo: Børre E. Helgerud.
The attentive in social media has also been able to note that they are training on a new type of roller ski that looks a bit longer than a traditional roller ski and where the binding appears to be mounted further forward.
Jørgen Aukland is a bit secretive about the roller skis but says this:
“It’s a new product. We try to optimize the roller ski for double poling. It’s great to have the best skiers as test pilots.”
New Aukland roller skis. Photo: Børre E. Helgerud.
The training camp in Tönsberg started last Sunday and ends tomorrow Friday with a long roller ski session.
“It has been really good days where we trained hard with many miles on roller skis and ate well. The focus has been on the three tough workouts.”
“I feel that we really have a solid group where Kasper Stadaas, Johan Hoel and Marte Mæhlum Johansen are excellent new additions.”
Will you fight back against Swedish Team Ramudden and Lager 157 Ski Team during season XII?
“Last winter, Emil Persson and Lina Korsgren were the best, but I can say that there will be more athletes who want to be winners in Season XII. It will for sure be tough to win races. It can be stated that there are lots of athletes who do the work needed this summer.”
What do you say about Martin Johnsrud Sundby entering the Pro Tour?
“Martin is a great profile and has previously shown what he can in Birken. It will be interesting to see what he can do in the other events.”
Two Team Ragde Charge athletes are not attending the training camp in Tönsberg; Oskar Kardin and Marit Bjørgen.
Kardin can’t enter Norway from Sweden due to quarantine rules. Bjørgen is currently filming the TV show Sweden vs. Norway, where Swedish and Norwegian ski stars compete against each other.
“But Marit is in a good position in her training. The women’s class will be exciting in the coming season, Jørgen Aukland concludes.
Jørgen Aukland gives instructions. Photo: Børre E. Helgerud.
Top photo: Børre E. Helgerud.
