Andreas Nygaard: "All in" for Rolid at Jizerská

Ski Classics

Andreas Nygaard: “All in” for Rolid at Jizerská

by Kjell-Erik Kristiansen/translated by Katerina Paul • 06.02.2025

Member Article

Photo: Vanzetta/NordicFocus.

“We’re going ‘all in’ for Rolid at Jizerská,” says Andreas Nygaard with a sly smile. The Marcialonga winner believes it’s time to give back to the “domestique” who played a crucial role in his big victory in Italy nearly two weeks ago.

“I haven’t heard anything about that,” responds the designated team captain for Jizerská50.

Rolid’s Breakthrough Performance

Mathias Aas Rolid received a lot of attention after Marcialonga, where he created the gap that allowed Andreas Nygaard to “hitch a ride” with Max Novak and Amund Hoel up to the lead group. He then helped with the pacing and played a major role in Nygaard’s eventual victory.

Rolid made a bold move by breaking away solo during Marcialonga, later receiving praise for his performance.

“I asked Johan Hoel when I attacked. He gave me the go-ahead, and I went for it,” says the “domestique,” who joined Team Ragde Charge on a trial contract last year. Suddenly, he now finds himself in 6th place overall in Ski Classics.

“I’m surprised to be in 6th place overall. I wouldn’t have believed it in June. But I’m not too surprised that I can keep up. When I trained intervals with the guys this summer, I realized it was possible.”

Mathias received widespread acclaim for his team effort in Marcialonga, where he finished 4th.

Team Captain at Jizerská50?

Sunday’s tough Grand Classics race in the Czech Republic is the next challenge. A race that has been part of Ski Classics since the beginning, where tough athletes like Morten Eide Pedersen and Andreas Nygaard have dominated for years.

“But now, we’re going ‘all in’ to get Mathias up the first climb and then sacrifice ourselves for him. Plus, he’ll have his good friend Mikael Gunnulfsen as a 100 percent domestique,” says Andreas Nygaard from high-altitude training in Seiser Alm, Italy.

For Nygaard, Vasaloppet remains the biggest goal of the season, and he is uncertain whether he will compete for the yellow jersey. Team Ragde Charge swept the podium in last year’s Ski Classics, with Johan Hoel, Kasper Stadaas, and Nygaard securing the top spots.

“The four Grand Classics races are the most important for me. If you perform well in those, you might be in the fight for the yellow jersey,” says Nygaard, though he reiterates that it’s not his main goal this year.

Can Rolid Conquer the First Climb?

Mathias Aas Rolid is taken aback by Nygaard’s statement that he’ll be the team captain on Sunday.

“Of course, I’d love to be captain, but I’m not as strong in a 15-minute uphill effort as I am on flat sections and downhills,” he says, referring to the first 11 kilometers of Jizerská, which are almost entirely uphill.

“But if I’m in the mix with 1 kilometer to go, I know I can win,” he adds.

One thing is certain: Team Ragde Charge will be a major threat in the Czech forests around Bedřichov, near Liberec.

Johan Hoel, Kasper Stadaas, Andreas Nygaard, and Mathias Aas Rolid—at least one of them will surely be in contention for the win.

The only question is: who?