Max Novak can look back on an excellent season in Ski Classics. He won Pustertaler Ski Marathon, came second at Birkebeinerrennet, and third at Tartu Maraton:

“I am very happy with my last year’s season. I had very good results at the rollerski competitions during the summer, which raised the hopes of challenging the Ski Classics overall. I was in steady shape throughout the season with a few bumps. And if you are like that, you are good in the total,” says Novak, who announced after the end of the season that he would not remain with Team Ramudden.

Today it was announced that he would compete for Team Aker Dæhlie.

“I had quite a few bids, and it is clear that it is fun that there is a lot of interest. What was decisive for my team’s choice was the sporting approach. And then I think it’s all about the service and how many and which skiers are in the team. If you can get an “edge,” there is a greater chance that you will win races, and it feels with the structure we have now that we will have an edge often,” says Novak.

What is the goal for the season?

“Just like last year, I hope to participate and perform at an even high level throughout the season, but with even higher peaks in the Grand Classics races (Marcialonga, Jizerská50, Vasaloppet, and Birkebeinerrennet). 

Next year will be ten years since the last Swedish victory at Vasaloppet (Jörgen Brink in 2013); what does it take for you to break that trend this winter?

“This year, there was total dominance of Ragde Charge. So, it was clear that you need a team where you can collaborate all the way, and we have made sure to do that now. I hope it is the last piece of the puzzle that is missing, so I believe and hope it will be set for a Swedish victory. It’s time for that now, and I want to be the one to break the trend,” says Novak.

Have you made any training changes this season?

“I continue to train with Mattias Reck as a coach, and we still have some things we are working on. It feels like the base we have built is good, and we continue to work on it. This year I will train a little more, and then I will make a change in that I do a little less rollerskis than last year, and ride a little more bike. However, I do not run anything. I’m too bad, laughs Novak.

On June 26, Novak starts his first race after the team change. It will be the Norwegian rollerski race Kanalrennet in Telemark.