A new athlete strengthens the Ski-Willy Marathon Team Austria squad on the men’s side with promising Mika Vermeulen. 

Austrian cross-country skier Mika Vermeulen is set to participate in the prestigious Birkebeinerrennet race after achieving solid results at Planica 50km (19th) and Holmenkollen 50km (29th). In an interview with ProXCskiing, Vermeulen shared his thoughts on the upcoming race and his participation in the Ski Classics rankings.

“Birkebeinerrennet is one of the big races in Ski Classics and skiing in general, so I am mainly happy to be able to race and enjoy the atmosphere,” Vermeulen said. He also confirmed that he would only participate at Birkebeinerrennet this year but may consider joining Ski Classics in the future.

“I will just do Birken this year; for the next years, we’ll see.”

Vermeulen, who is based in Lillehammer, Norway, acknowledged that he is familiar with the Birken course and emphasized the importance of not starting too fast and finding a good group. 

“I think it’s just important to not blow up in the start and always try to be in a good group,” and added:

“When you are alone, you often make the mistake of going too easy in the easy parts like Middfjellet to Sjusjøen, but that is especially bad because where the speed is high, you easily lose a lot of time.”

Comparing the Holmenkollen and Birken courses, Vermeulen described the former as “madness” with its 2000m of ascent in a 50km World Cup race. He noted that the Birken course is more gradual but more challenging due to his preference for steeper terrain.

“Holmenkollen is just madness. Two thousand meters of ascent in 50km is not really comparable to anything; it’s much more up and down, while at Birken, it’s much more gradual. To be honest, I think that Birken will be harder for me because I don’t feel so good in gradual terrain.”

When asked about his goals for the race, Vermeulen expressed his desire to stay with the lead group as long as possible but acknowledged that he is new to Ski Classics and will approach it with an open mind. He also shared that his training plan mainly consisted of recovering from recent races and hopes to be well-rested for the upcoming competition.

“I hope to be able to push all the way and stay with the lead group as long as possible, but since I’m new to races like this, I will go with an open mind and see where the journey leads,” and continues:

“Training is more just recovering these days after the World Championships and with many races in the last period. If I’m rested well (from yesterday’s 10km World Cup race in Falun), it will be a good fight!

With his positive attitude and determination, Mika Vermeulen is sure to make a strong impression in the upcoming Birkebeinerrennet.

Next up is Birkebeinerrennet today, Saturday, March 18. The race marks the twelfth Ski Classics event and the fourth Grand Classics Season XIV.

The Season XIV of Ski Classics Pro Tour consists of 14 events on 10 event weekends in 6 different countries. 

Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XIV (2022/2023)

• Event 1: December 10, 2022 – Bad Gastein PTT, Bad Gastein, Austria, 15km
• Event 2: December 11, 2022 – Bad Gastein Criterium, Bad Gastein, Austria, 35km
• Event 3: December 17, 2022 – La Venosta Criterium, Val Venosta, Italy, 36km 
• Event 4: January 14, 2023 – Pustertaler Ski Marathon, Sexten, Italy, 62km
• Event 5: January 15, 2023 – Prato Piazza Mountain Challenge, Niederdorf, Italy, 32km
• Event 6: January 21, 2023 – Engadin La Diagonela, Engadin Valley, Switzerland, 48km 
• Event 7: January 29, 2023 – Marcialonga, Trentino, Italy, 70km
• Event 8: February 12, 2023 – Jizerská50, Bedřichov, Czech Republic, 50km
• Event 9: February 18, 2023 – Grönklitt Criterium, Orsa Grönklitt, Sweden, 50km
• Event 10: February 19, 2023 – Grönklitt ITT, Orsa Grönklitt, Sweden, 15km
• Event 11: March 5, 2023 – Vasaloppet, Sälen-Mora, Sweden, 90km
• Event 12: March 18, 2023 – Birkebeinerrennet, Rena-Lillehammer, Norway, 54km
• Event 13: April 1, 2023 – Reistadløpet, Setermoen-Bardufoss, Norway, 40km
• Event 14: April 2, 2023 – Summit 2 Senja, Bardufoss- Finnsnes, Norway, 67km

More information about the Ski Classics Pro Tour you can find at skiclassics.com.