Fabián Štoček: Victory at Vasaloppet China and a look back at January’s Ski Classics

China Ski Classics
Fabián Štoček kicked off the new year with a victory at the Ski Classics Challengers event Vasaloppet China before competing in Pro Tour events every weekend. How does he evaluate his performances, and how is he looking forward to the upcoming Jizerská50 on home soil?
Fabián Štoček kicked off the new year with a victory at the Ski Classics Challengers event Vasaloppet China before competing in Pro Tour events every weekend. How does he evaluate his performances, and how is he looking forward to the upcoming Jizerská50 on home soil?

This season, Fabián Štoček is the top Czech competitor in Ski Classics, representing the Czech eD system Vltava Fund team. Štoček didn’t take a single weekend off in January, starting the year strong with another victory at the prestigious Vasaloppet China, a Ski Classics Challengers event.

How does it feel to win Vasaloppet China for the second time in a row?

“If I remember correctly, I’ve never won a major race twice in a row before. I had bib number one, so I was considered the favorite. That was reassuring in a way, but at the same time, it put more pressure on me to win again. The first time I won, I didn’t think about that at all.

Overall, I’m really happy to have defended my title. The peloton’s strategy this year was completely different from last year’s race. In the second lap, we were still in a group of sixteen skiers.”

Traveling to China is logistically and physically demanding. How did you handle it?

“Traveling was much easier this time. We had a good connection from Munich and managed the trip in about 18 hours. I’m very grateful to Nordic Ways China for organizing and sponsoring the event. This time, my parents came to watch, so thanks to the prize money, I was able to help cover their travel expenses.”

You used to take part in the entire Tour de China, which included many sprint races in addition to the main race. The events took place in multiple locations, allowing skiers to explore different Chinese ski resorts.

“Unfortunately, the Tour has not existed for three years. The organizers have mainly focused on holding just the main race, but it still receives strong local support.”

Is it true that if you win Vasaloppet China three times in a row, you earn a permanent place in the race’s history?

“Yes, that’s true. I recently found the Hall of Fame online, which includes Stanislav Řezáč, who dominated the race from 2005 to 2007. You get inducted if you win three times.”

Click here to see Vasaloppet China Hall of Fame.

You’ve also competed in other Ski Classics races in January, most recently Marcialonga. How do you assess your performance there?

“On race morning, we had logistical issues and left 20 minutes later than planned. I didn’t have enough time to warm up properly. In the first 5 km, I wasn’t prepared for the pace and didn’t fight hard enough, which was a mistake. I thought the group would come back together after 5–10 km.

I was stuck in the middle track, which isn’t ideal. The lead skiers go on the left behind the snowmobile, while those in the middle track tend to drop back. I lost contact with the lead group and was alone for a while. Later, I joined a small group of three to five skiers, and on the way down, we picked up Isaac (Isaac Holstroem, my former teammate). We worked well together, and I managed to beat the group in the sprint at Cascata. So, while it wasn’t perfect, I’m fairly satisfied—it went okay.”

And what about La Diagonela the week before?

“At La Diagonela, I had the opposite strategy compared to the rest of the field. I should have thought more about how the race would unfold—where the group would split and where it wouldn’t. In the uphill forest section, big groups usually don’t break apart.

I chose to be at the front of the peloton during the forest climb, which probably cost me some energy, but at least I stayed in the lead group until the final kilometers. That didn’t happen at Marcialonga. It might not be a bad idea to position myself at the front more often—you never know when a break will happen, and it’s better than wasting energy trying to catch back up.”

What about Drei Zinnen in Toblach?

“I was happy with Toblach because I stayed with the lead group until the climb—at the mountain sprint. In the second climb after the sprint, they pulled away. I descended and then skied with a solid group until the finish, where we sprinted. In previous years, I didn’t manage to stay at the front until the climb, so this was an improvement.”

At least you gained more experience. How do you see it?

“At Marcialonga and La Diagonela, I simply had a different strategy than the others. I need to focus on executing my race plan better at Jizerská.

I’m really looking forward to Jizerka, especially the atmosphere at Šámalka (Šámalova Chata at Nová Louka, where our team usually stays during Jizerská 50). Last year, when Jizerská was canceled, I really missed it.”

What are your plans leading up to Jizerská50?

“Right now, I’m back in Lausanne. I’ll arrive in Jizerky on Sunday or Monday at the latest.”

Read more: Michaela Patscheider: Chasing dreams in Ski Classics

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