Max Novak is one of the biggest stars of the Ski Classics circuit. Before the season, the Pro Tour athlete transferred to Team Aker Dæhlie. He does not regret the choice, but now he reveals to VG that he had contact with Petter Northug and his project.

“It has been an outstanding group. I feel I have even better conditions this winter. It’s an inspiring environment,” says Novak to VG about the transfer from Swedish Team Ramudden to newly started Team Aker Dæhlie.

Team Aker Dæhlie was presented in June and has Max Novak and Astrid Øyre Slind as their big stars. In addition, the team took over large parts of Team Telemark and Koteng Eidissen.

“I had an alternative and actually thought I was going to Koteng Eidissen. It was quite late that I decided, but when the whole plan for Aker Dæhlie came, it was an easy choice,” says Novak to VG.

Team Northug was founded on June 30. Petter Northug has said he takes this year’s season as a proper run-up for the 2023/2024 season. The team is currently only made up of Northug himself, but he has signaled that he wants to have more skiers in his group.

Now, Max Novak revealed that he had a dialogue with Northug about joining his project.

“Yes, we have been in contact since we trained together in Gran Canaria last autumn. I was forced to choose a ready scheme when we arrived in June. I can’t take any chances at my age, although Petter’s plan will probably be good. But there was nothing in place then, concludes Novak to VG.