Marit Bjørgen’s comeback as a long-distance skier is postponed further. It is now clear that her application to attend Marcialonga will be rejected. Her main goal, Vasaloppet, will probably be the same as her season XI debut.
“She is not a favorite in Vasaloppet now,” says Team Ragde Eiendom’s Pro Team Manager Jørgen Aukland to the Norwegian TV company NRK.

40-year-old Bjørgen missed to join the so-called Adams program, where athletes fill in where they are to submit to unannounced doping tests.
To be allowed to compete you must have been in the system for atleast six months. Bjørgen applied to have it shortened to five months to be able to start Marcialonga january 31st. She wanted to do one competition before her main goal Vasaloppet 7th of March.

Bjørgen is free to start competing again on February 28th, which is the weekend before the Vasaloppet, which will now probably be the comeback for her.
“It would have been ideal if she could have participated in Marcialonga, Aukland tells NRK.
“I can be Bjørgen’s competitor in competition-like training. Fortunately, we have good training conditions, says Aukland.