Andreas Nygaard, Team Ragde Charge, started his 100th Ski Classics Pro Tour event during Sunday’s Bad Gastein Criterium. Here, the Norwegian shares his thoughts on how Ski Classics has developed over his years in the circuit.

The Ski Classics Legend Andreas Nygaard is one of the greatest of all time and has the second most victories with his 19 wins—only Britta Johansson Norgren has more. During Sunday’s Bad Gastein Criterium, Nygaard finished in sixth place but marked his 100th start in Ski Classics.

Also Read: Riege and Fleten winners of Bad Gastein Criterium Season XVI

The Norwegian first competed in Ski Classics during Season II, when he finished 46th at the Birkebeinerrennet. His first victory came in 2017 when the Vasaloppet China was part of the Pro Tour.

Greater Depth

Ski Classics has developed on multiple levels since its inception, but above all, Andreas Nygaard believes the depth of the field has significantly improved.

“I think when it comes to the level of the skiers, it has increased a lot, especially from places 5 to 50. There are more men and women now who have the possibility to train and live as a pro,” he says, and continues:

“Previously, if I had a bad race, I would still finish around 10th–15th place. But now, if I have a bad race, I can easily end up in 40th place. The level of the field is higher.”

Not Harder to Win

However, he is not convinced that it is harder to win a race today compared to a few years ago.

“Everyone says the peloton is getting stronger and faster. But I’m not so sure that it’s harder to win a race now compared to earlier.”

Nygaard has won races eight years in a row. He hopes to achieve more victories this season.

“This year, it seems like everyone has taken a big step with heat training, periodization, and lot of training. But as I’ve mentioned earlier, you must have consistency, stay healthy, and injury-free. That’s the most important thing for me too. Hopefully, I can still be up there and fight, and I hope I can still win races. It’s tough, and everything must be 100% for me to beat the other guys,” he concludes.

Watch the full interview (from 1:37:40 to 1:45:20) on the Ski Classics Live Sessions XVI – Bad Gastein Weekend

Read More:  Ski Classics Standings after Bad Gastein weekend Season XVI

Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XVI (2024/2025)

• Event 0: Friday, December 13, 2024 –Ski Classics Pro Team Presentation XVI – Bad Gastein, Austria
• Event 1: Saturday, December 14, 2024 – Bad Gastein ITT – Sportgastein, Austria, 7km
• Event 2: Sunday, December 15, 2024 – Bad Gastein Criterium – Sportgastein, Austria, 36km
• Event 3: Saturday, January 11, 2025 – 3 Zinnen Ski Marathon – Sexten, Italy, 60km
• Event 4: Sunday, January 12, 2025 – La Venosta ITT Kapron-Melago – Val Venosta, Italy, 12km
• Event 5: Saturday, January 18, 2025 – Engadin La Diagonela – Pontresina-Zuoz, Switzerland, 55km
• Event 6: Sunday, January 26, 2025 – Marcialonga – Trentino, Italy, 70km
• Event 7: Sunday, February 9, 2025 – Jizerská50 – Bedřichov, Czech Republic, 50km
• Event 8: Saturday, February 15, 2025 – Grönklitt Criterium 61 – Orsa Grönklitt, Sweden, 61km
• Event 9: Sunday, February 16, 2025 – Grönklitt ITT – Orsa Grönklitt, Sweden, 12km
• Event 10: Sunday, March 2, 2025 – Vasaloppet – Sälen-Mora, Sweden, 90km
• Event 11: Saturday, March 15, 2025 – Birkebeinerrennet – Rena-Lillehammer, Norway, 54km
• Event 12: Saturday, March 22, 2025 – Marcialonga Bodø – Bodø, Norway, 50km
• Event 13: Saturday, March 29, 2025 – Reistadløpet – Setermoen-Bardufoss, Norway, 46km
• Event 14: Sunday, March 30, 2025 – Grand Finale Summit 2 Senja – Bardufoss-Finnsnes, Norway, 60km

More information about the Ski Classics Pro Tour can be found at skiclassics.com