Last year, the Vasaloppet became a sad story for Max Novak, Team Ramudden. Now he is looking for revenge and had a heavy training week before the race.

“I have trained more in one week than ever. On par with a Nils van der Poel busy week,” Novak says.

Last year was not your most perfect day as a skier during the Vasaloppet. Will it be nice to have revenge this year?

“Yes, I have been looking forward to that last year,” says Novak.

Max, can you tell us about the skiing and binding trouble at Vasaloppet last year?

“It first happened at Marcialonga when I skied into some skiers. I had no chance to swerve, and I skied into them, and the binding was torn off the ski. I mounted it myself, chased and caught up the group.”

“Then it was the same skis at Vasaloppet. I did not think anything had happened to the binding, but when a skier hit me after Mångsbodarna, the ski came off, and the binding remained on the boot. I had to go out into the woods, get the ski, and reattach the binding. So I’m starting to get pretty good at it.”

“I left after a minute and a half and caught up with the group in a little over 10km, so I was in excellent shape. Then came what was seen on TV: A skier fell in front of me, and I skied into him, and the ski came loose again.”

Have you tightened the bindings a little extra this year?

“Yes, we fastened them with screws. But it’s mostly about not having a lot of skiers around you who fall.”

Vasaloppet 2021 was not a top race for Novak, but he still finished in 52nd place.

This winter, Novak had followed up his dominance from the roller ski season with the first victory of his career in Visma Ski Classics when he won the Pustertaler Ski Marathon shortly after New Year. 

His teammates Johannes Eklöf and Herman Paus have also made many strong efforts this winter, and it is essential to watch out for the yellow-black trio on Sunday.

You are a strong trio this winter. Does it feel like we will see Team Ramudden make a mark on this year’s Vasaloppet?

 “Yes, I hope so, of course. The plan is not to be too active initially, but as it looked last year, many of those who were the strongest stayed ahead early. If it is a fast race, you need to do so. Now it looks like it will be quite nice conditions.”

What is your best weapon to fight with?

“I have an excellent ability to maintain high speed for around 20 minutes. I do not have the best sprint. It is good but not the absolute best. It’s the same with the uphill ability; it’s good too but not the very best. But just this with skiing hard for 20 minutes in varying terrain, I think few can match me on that.

Which skiers are considered the best sprinters?

“Andreas Nygaard, Emil Persson and Kasper Stadaas,” says Novak.

A few weeks ago, Max Novak had high hopes for a top result at Jizerská50. A significant race for him with his Czech roots. However, the wrong choice of skis was fatal, and he finished 22nd without having a chance to take the lead already at the beginning of the race.

It was sad considering how important the race in the Czech Republic was to you?

“Yes, it was terrible. I got a pair in my hand before the start, and I immediately felt that it went heavier than the skis I warmed up on. I do not know, it wasn’t very good, but that’s what happened. We have had good skis most of the time. But it was extra sour when it was my most important competition for the year after Vasaloppet.”

It was quick revenge on Tartu with third place.

“For me, it was not so much thought. I knew what Jizerská was due to. Of course, it was still nice to have it confirmed that it was not the form that was wrong in the Czech Republic. It was important to get the race in Tartu before Vasaloppet.”

What has the training looked like in the last weeks before Vasaloppet?

“I do not know if you should call it a chance, but I have felt that in all competitions I have skied well, and I have had excellent shape, I have had a good week of training before. That was before the Pustertaler Ski Marathon when I won. Then it would have been a lot of hours at high altitude in Livigno.”

“Now, I have raised the bar even more. I have trained more in one week than ever, regardless of the time of year.”

How many hours?

“On par with a Nils van der Poel busy week. There have been several interval sessions that have gone very well. I have felt that I have had reasonable control even with such large amounts of exercise. It gives self-confidence.”

“I have also had a massage every day. Now (Wednesday), I have just had one last hard workout.”