With the Grönklitt weekend just around the corner, the Ski Classics Season XV is halfway through. ProXCskiing reviews the favorites for the various overall competitions, and today, you can find out who the Champion bib favorites are on the men’s side.

The Yellow Champion bib is worn by the male and female athletes with the most current Champion points before each event. The overall winner is the athlete with the most Champion points after the season in each gender. Athletes’ single best result from a Ski Classics Challengers event is included.

The Champion competition is naturally the most prestigious in Ski Classics, and the field becomes more competitive every year. There are many favorites, but only one man and one woman can win their respective categories. One must be consistent, in great shape throughout the winter, and stay healthy until the end of the season. The two reigning champions, Emil Persson, Lager 157 Ski Team, and Ida Dahl, Team Engcon, are available to defend their titles but face fierce competition from their opponents.

After Marcialonga, Kasper Stadaas, Team Ragde Charge, is the Yellow bib holder in the men’s side with 1090 points. 

Who are the favorites for the Yellow Champion overall competition Season XV? 

Champion Favorites Men – Ski Classics Season XV – After Marcialonga

After Marcialonga, Kasper Stadaas, Team Ragde Charge, is the Yellow Champion bib holder with 1090 points. Johan Hoel, also from Team Ragde Charge, follows in second place with 822 points. Axel Jutterström, Team Eksjöhus, is in third place with 801 points.

The men’s Champion competition is intense this season. Kasper Stadaas is the biggest favorite. Still, Johan Hoel and Axel Jutterström can have an excellent fight to collect extra Champion points and challenge Stadaas in the battle for the Yellow overall.

Many great contenders can challenge these three skiers. Four names come to mind right away: Runar Skaug Mathisen, Lager 157 Ski Team, Thomas Ødegaarden, Team Eksjöhus, Emil Persson, Lager 157 Ski Team, and Andreas Nygaard, Team Ragde Charge. Who will win the Champion competition overall?

Read More: Ski Classics Standings after Marcialonga 2024

Yellow Champion Bib Favorites Men – Ski Classics Season XV

Kasper Stadaas

• Nationality: Norway
• Date of Birth: 21.02.1994
• Pro Team: Team Ragde Charge
• Champion Competition: 1090 points 
• Likelihood to win: 4out of 5

Johan Hoel

• Nationality: Norway
• Date of Birth: 17.12.1994
• Pro Team: Team Ragde Charge
• Champion Competition: 822 points 
• Likelihood to win: 3 out of 5

Axel Jutterström

• Nationality: Sweden
• Date of Birth: 14.11.1998
• Pro Team: Team Eksjöhus
• Champion Competition: 801 points
• Likelihood to win: 3 out of 5

Runar Skaug Mathisen

• Nationality: Norway
• Date of Birth: 13.03.1993
• Pro Team: Lager 157 Ski Team
• Champion Competition: 740 points
• Likelihood to win: 2 out of 5

Champion Men – Top 10 after Marcialonga 

Next are Grönklitt Classic on Saturday, February 17, and Grönklitt ITT on Sunday, February 18, 2024. The Pro Tour events mark the ninth and tenth Ski Classics Pro Tour stages of Season XV.

Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XV (2023/2024)

• Event 1: December 9, 2023 – Bad Gastein PTT, Austria, 13km
• Event 2: December 10, 2023 – Bad Gastein Criterium, Austria, 36km
• Event 3: December 16, 2023 – La Venosta Criterium, Italy, 35km 
• Event 4: December 17, 2023 – La Venosta ITT, Italy, 10km
• Event 5: January 13, 2024 – 3 Zinnen Ski Marathon, Italy, 62km
• Event 6: January 20, 2024 – Engadin La Diagonela, Switzerland, 55km
• Event 7: January 28, 2024 – Marcialonga, Italy, 70km
• Event 8: February 11, 2024 – Jizerská50, Czech Republic, 50km
• Event 9: February 17, 2024 – Grönklitt Classic, Sweden, 60km
• Event 10: February 18, 2024 – Grönklitt ITT, Sweden, 13km
• Event 11: March 3, 2024 – Vasaloppet, Sweden, 90km
• Event 12: March 16, 2024 – Birkebeinerrennet, Norway, 54km
• Event 13: April 6, 2024 – Reistadløpet, Norway, 50km
• Event 14: April 7, 2024 – Summit 2 Senja, Norway, 60km
• Event 15: April 13, 2024 – Ski Classics Grand Finale – Janteloppet, Norway, 100km

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