The Stavanger cyclist has barely had time to learn double-poling – now he’s stepping into the shoes of one of the world’s best Pro Team athletes, in one of the world’s top Pro Teams.

After two of five rounds in the long-distance World Challenge Cup 2025, Einar Kalland-Olsen already has the first two podium finishes of his career – and is leading the cup overall.

“I didn’t expect that,” says the 30-year-old from Gjesdal IL to Langrenn.com after making his professional debut for Lager 157 Ski Team.

First, he took second place in Lysebotn Opp, after a photo-finish battle with one of the sport’s very best. The next day, he finished third in the Blink Classics, ahead of the entire long-distance elite and World Cup stars.

“That’s the best I’ve ever done. Last year I took three sprint prizes in the Blink Classics, but I didn’t last to the finish and ended up 32nd. So honestly, I’m surprised,” says Kalland-Olsen.

Also Read
Fleten and Sverdrup Augdal dominate Lystebotn Opp double poling 2025
Alvar Myhlback wins Blink Classics 2025

From cycling dream to ski commitment

That Kalland-Olsen is now a key athlete in one of the world’s top Pro Teams is nothing short of remarkable. The Stavanger native was supposed to become a professional cyclist, and it’s only been four years since he first skied more than just Easter holiday trips.

His first ski race was in 2019 with friends. They decided to do Vasaloppet in 2020 – and again in 2022. And that’s where it all began. Kalland-Olsen was hooked.

He scrapped his cycling ambitions, went all-in on long-distance skiing with the Ski Classics squad Team Exsitec, and never looked back.

“I was actually content when I quit cycling and pretty fed up with the sport,” he says.

A rough diamond

In his third ski season last year, Kalland-Olsen delivered several top-ten finishes and placed 16th overall in Ski Classics – after finishing 30th and 27th in the two previous years.

The results caught the attention of the Lager 157 Ski Team. The Swedish Pro Team is one of the longest-running and most respected in Ski Classics. They have won Vasaloppet three years in a row, Marcialonga in 2024, and the overall Ski Classics in 2023.

Among his new teammates are world stars such as:

• Alvar Myhlback, the teenager who won Vasaloppet 2024 with a brutal sprint finish
• Emil Persson, the dominant force who won Vasaloppet and nine Pro Tour races in 2023, and finished runner-up this year
• Runar Skaug Mathisen, who won Marcialonga 2024 after skiing solo for over 20km

Filling Syrstad’s shoes

Expectations are high for the former cyclist. Last year, the team lost Torleif Syrstad – the 2024 Vasaloppet winner – to Team Engcon. Now, several within Lager 157 believe Kalland-Olsen can step into his role.

“We’ve tried to fill that role with the skiers we had, but we saw that we needed another athlete. And now we have that with Einar. I think he can resemble Torleif in time,” says Skaug Mathisen, adding:

“Einar is an endurance skier and has many of the same qualities as Torleif. Already at the first two training camps, he’s shown very good form and real ‘beast mode.’ He’ll be a great addition to the team.”

Keeping his feet on the ground

Kalland-Olsen himself is taking the praise calmly.

Runar says you can fill Torleif Syrstad’s role. What do you think about that?

“Did he say that? Those are big shoes to fill. But I do think I have something to contribute to the team, especially uphill.”

He dreams of the podium but sets a more modest goal for the season:

“Being on the podium would be cool, but top five is more realistic this year, at least.”

And Vasaloppet? It’s actually not at the top of Kalland-Olsen’s list.

“There are other races that suit me better. But Birkebeinerrennet is very high up.”

Pro Team Director: “Great potential”

Pro Team Director Anton Järnberg has no doubts:

“Einar has made huge progress this past year, and we see great potential in him. He has shown this winter that he can maintain a high and steady level. I’m convinced he will improve even more and develop further with us full-time.”

Are you interested in Ski Classics and long-distance skiing? Click HERE and read more about it.