Thomas Joly, Team Nordic Expérience, did his new personal best last weekend at Grönklitt Criterium and was closer than ever to a podium in the Ski Classics Pro Tour. With 4th place, he improved his previous year’s performance when he finished 8th at Birkebeinerrennet. 

After last year’s top 8 at Birkebeinerrennet and his podium this summer during Trollhättan Action Week, Thomas Joly was ready to excel in Ski Classics Season XIV. Joly also won the most famous French ski race – La Transju – the week before Grönklitt. Now, the Pro Tour athlete from Team Nordic Expérience Coste & Fromageries Marcel Petite is in shape and someone we should watch for the end of the season. 

For ProXCskiing.com, Joly commented on his performance:

“I am, of course, really happy with my new personal best in Ski Classics. My goal for this season was to be in the top 5 at least once, and now it’s done, so I’m happy about that,” and continues:

“I’m a bit frustrated because I was so close to the podium, but I have no regrets. I’ve put everything I had and am satisfied with my finish and sprint. I was a bit too far away to be able to make it to the podium. I couldn’t get in a better position for the last 2km, and I didn’t get back on the classic track, but, overall, I have nothing to regret, and I am happy with this 4th place.”

Can you tell us a bit about the race? 

“It was a fast race from the beginning to the end. I had good feelings, and my skis were great. I have decided to change my ski brand after Marcialonga and am happy with this choice. Our staff and technicians also did an amazing job. I had a good feeling on the uphills and was waiting for a good time, trying to always stay on the top 10-15.”

And after this performance, what are your goals for the end of the season? 

“The goal for the end of the season is to be at least once again in the top 10 in one of the two remaining Grand Classics of the Season – Vasaloppet and Birkebeinerrennet. I also want to be more consistent with my results and try again to be in the top 5,” concludes Thomas Joly.

Next up is Vasaloppet on Sunday, March 5. The event marks the 11th Ski Classics stage and the third Grand Classics Season XIV.

The Season XIV of Ski Classics Pro Tour consists of 14 events on 10 event weekends in 6 different countries. 

Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XIV (2022/2023)

• Event 1: December 10, 2022 – Bad Gastein PTT, Bad Gastein, Austria, 15km
• Event 2: December 11, 2022 – Bad Gastein Criterium, Bad Gastein, Austria, 35km
• Event 3: December 17, 2022 – La Venosta Criterium, Val Venosta, Italy, 36km 
• Event 4: January 14, 2023 – Pustertaler Ski Marathon, Sexten, Italy, 62km
• Event 5: January 15, 2023 – Prato Piazza Mountain Challenge, Niederdorf, Italy, 32km
• Event 6: January 21, 2023 – Engadin La Diagonela, Engadin Valley, Switzerland, 48km 
• Event 7: January 29, 2023 – Marcialonga, Trentino, Italy, 70km
• Event 8: February 12, 2023 – Jizerská50, Bedřichov, Czech Republic, 50km
• Event 9: February 18, 2023 – Grönklitt Criterium, Orsa Grönklitt, Sweden, 50km
• Event 10: February 19, 2023 – Grönklitt ITT, Orsa Grönklitt, Sweden, 12km
• Event 11: March 5, 2023 – Vasaloppet, Sälen-Mora, Sweden, 90km
• Event 12: March 18, 2023 – Birkebeinerrennet, Rena-Lillehammer, Norway, 54km
• Event 13: April 1, 2023 – Reistadløpet, Setermoen-Bardufoss, Norway, 40km
• Event 14: April 2, 2023 – Summit 2 Senja, Bardufoss- Finnsnes, Norway, 67km

More information about the Ski Classics Pro Tour you can find at skiclassics.com.