The Pro Team athlete spoke to ProXCskiing.com about his dense summer racing calendar, health setbacks, and his insights and tips for the upcoming Ski Classics Challengers event, Energamo Lipnolopet.

A summer dominated by racing

Thomas Bing, from the eD System RSJ Team, describes his training preparation this summer as geared toward a different goal:

“All in all, my training in August and September was geared more toward a good performance in the competitions. With 12 races and numerous travel days, it wasn’t easy to find time for training. But you can’t have both, and this year the races were the priority,” Bing told ProXCskiing.com.

Also Read: Energamo Lipnolopet in Czechia this Saturday – Live on SC Play

Teeth, surgery, and a surprising effect

Health-wise, the year was anything but calm for Bing. Since the end of the season, two teeth had been causing him major problems. Initial attempts to save them were unsuccessful, and last week they were removed. Implants are to follow.

The extraction did not go well, and he is currently struggling with the wound. But a detail from his own data shows that the decision was the right one.

“Nevertheless, it was the right decision, because my sleep data was significantly better on the very first day of the surgery. Astonishing how much local inflammation can affect the whole body,” says Bing.

Energamo Lipnolopet: an event worth skiing even without racing all out

Bing pays respect to the organizers and reveals that the course appeals to him even when racing for a result is out of the question.

“The commitment is impressive; preparing such a long loop is a huge achievement. Personally, I find the event so beautiful that I would happily ski it even in an injured state. Not as an all-out competition- that’s not possible right now, but easy. Simply enjoying the atmosphere,” says Bing.

Asked about the highlights for participants, he has a clear answer, followed by a serious one.

“The after-party! A must-have, even without having run a race beforehand. Joking aside, there are hardly any races left in Central Europe that can be run on a 50km loop. The fact that we’re not on a roller ski course makes this race a true beacon,” Bing explains.

Live on SC Play

You can follow Energamo Lipnolopet live on SC Play this Saturday from 9:55 CEST. 

ENERGAMO LIPNOLOPET – LIVE HERE ON SC PLAY!

For recreational athletes: a challenge, but solvable

Bing considers the distances demanding but doable, provided you find the right group.

“It’s definitely a challenge, but not an impossible task. The important thing is to find a group that matches your own level. Otherwise, 50km becomes very long,” says Bing.

The start field

Bing describes the start field as very strong, both in depth and at the front.

“There are always Scandinavians at the start, which makes podium places a genuine top performance. For the elite, it’s all about 50 points for the winter. Overall, the start field is very large, which means the midfield is superbly filled and offers every participant a rival.”

The key point is not at the end

As a race tip, Bing points to an early section that demands attention.

“After the first sprint point, about 18km from the start, top speed kicks off for the first time. Once a selection has been made, the groups usually stay together until the final climb.”

Winter season and preparation plan

For the winter, Bing is focusing on Ski Classics plus a few Worldloppets, with clear interest in two destinations.

“The Ski Classics will be the main focus, along with some Worldloppets. China and Japan are definitely very interesting,” says Bing.

Unlike in previous years, his peak form comes later this time, which pushes his snow preparation back.

“This year I’m trying to be in top shape around mid-January and February. That allows me to start snow preparation a bit later,” says Bing.

After Lipnolopet comes a team training camp in Mallorca. Bing is looking forward to it not just for the infrastructure, but for the training partners.

“That will be great, since many recreational athletes are taking part too. The Pro Team traditionally trains on slow roller skis, our amateurs on fast ones. That gives me many training partners there whom I miss in everyday life,” concludes Bing.

Read More: Thomas Bing after winning his first Senior World Championships medal

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