The Olympic Games await Alvar Myhlback in February. But before that, three Ski Classics race weekends are on the schedule, something he is very much looking forward to.

Two weeks ago, the Tour de Ski concluded with the classic climb up Alpe Cermis. Olympic-qualified Alvar Myhlback was among those who completed the entire Tour. On Saturday, it is time for the Ski Classics Pro Tour event, Engadin La Diagonela.

“Now it feels good again. It was tough for me to race the Tour de Ski, and even a few days afterward, it didn’t feel good. But it has gotten better and better, and now I feel ready to compete again,” Alvar Myhlback said at the Ski Classics press conference ahead of this weekend’s race.

Watch the full video interview at the bottom of the article.

An intensive period ahead

A packed competition period awaits Alvar Myhlback. First come three Ski Classics race weekends, followed by the Olympic Games, before Ski Classics continues with events such as Vasaloppet.

“Now I get to do everything I love for a month, so I’m really looking forward to it.”

Up first is Switzerland’s Engadin La Diagonela this Saturday, this year with a slightly shortened course. The race will be Myhlback’s first Ski Classics Pro Tour start of the season, as he missed the opening weekend in Bad Gastein due to illness.

“I don’t know if it will be my day, but I’m really looking forward to it. It was so boring to miss Bad Gastein. So, I’m really, really ready to be back and fight with the team again,” he says.

Also Read: Course and start time updates for Engadin La Diagonela

Often, a large pack stays together from the start in Pontresina through the Engadin Valley, before the race is decided in a sprint finish in Zuoz. Myhlback hopes for a harder race than usual this year.

“I think that would suit me well. I believe it’s better for performance, and I think I need high intensity and good training ahead of Marcialonga and Jizerská. But usually there’s a big group coming into the final five kilometers, and I think it will be the same scenario this year as well.”

Tested the Olympic course

During the Tour de Ski, Myhlback had the opportunity to test the sprint course that will be used at the Olympic Games. The sprint competition was held in classic technique, just as it will be at the Olympics, and he chose to double-pole the course.

“The course in Val di Fiemme actually involves a lot of double poling. Unfortunately, the most important part of the sprint is probably diagonal stride, and that section is quite long as well. So, we’ll see. I didn’t have time to test the course as much as I would have liked last time in Val di Fiemme, but I think it could be okay.”

But before the Olympic Games begin for Myhlback, three weekends with complete focus on Ski Classics are still ahead.

Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XVII (2025/2026)

Season XVII of the Ski Classics Pro Tour consists of 13 events across 9 event weekends in 6 countries. 

• Event 1: December 13, 2025 – Bad Gastein Pro Team Tempo – Sportgastein, Austria, 7km
• Event 2: December 14, 2025 – Bad Gastein Criterium – Sportgastein, Austria, 36km
• Event 3: January 17, 2026 – Engadin La Diagonela – Pontresina-Zuoz, Switzerland, 47km
• Event 4: January 25, 2026 – Marcialonga – Moena-Cavalese, Italy, 70km
• Event 5: January 30, 2026 – Bedřichov Sprint – Bedřichov, Czech Republic, 1.5km
• Event 6: February 1, 2026 – Jizerská50 – Bedřichov, Czech Republic, 50km
• Event 7: March 1, 2026 – Vasaloppet – Sälen-Mora, Sweden, 90km
• Event 8: March 7, 2026 – Orsa Grönklitt 50k ITT Women – Grönklitt, Sweden, 50km
• Event 9: March 8, 2026 – Orsa Grönklitt 50k ITT Men – Grönklitt, Sweden, 50km
• Event 10: March 14, 2026 – Birkebeinerrennet – Rena-Lillehammer, Norway, 54km
• Event 11: March 21, 2026 – Marcialonga Bodø – Bodø, Norway, 50km
• Event 12: March 28, 2026 – Reistadløpet – Setermoen-Bardufoss, Norway, 35km
• Event 13: March 29, 2026 – Grand Finale Summit 2 Senja – Bardufoss-Finnsnes, Norway, 60km

For more updates and detailed information about the Ski Classics Pro Tour, visit skiclassics.com