Thomas Joly, the young Frenchman from Team Nordic Experience Coste & Credit Agricole Franche Comté was 8th on Saturday’s Birkebeinerrennet, Visma Ski Classics Season XII.

This result is his career-best place and close to Alexis Jeannerod’s personal best, who finished 6th in the same race in 2019. 

Thomas, how was the race? 

“I’m thrilled with my race. This is my first career top 10. I was able to stay in the leading group from the beginning, but I had a crash at the 9km mark, which made me lose some time, but I could rejoin the group before the top of the first climb.” 

“Then I managed to recover well on the second downhill, and the race got really tough on the second climb. I put myself at the back of the group and passed those who were dropping one by one.”

“Finally, at the finish, we were about 15 for the sprint, and I was not very well positioned in the straight finish, but I managed to make a great sprint to finish 8th, not 7th, at the photo finish with Oskar Kardin.”

“I’m really happy with this 8th place. I think it’s one of the best races on the Visma Ski Classics Pro Tour: the course is ‘crazy’, and the atmosphere was amazing!” 

After this outstanding performance, how do you approach the end of the season? 

“From a personal point of view, it gives me a boost after I got sick just before Vasaloppet and had hypoglycemia during Tartu Marathon. It gives me confidence and makes me want to finish the season with good results, and why not a top 10 again?”

“It’s also a performance that makes everyone very happy: the team, coach, staff, and the sponsors. It’s a team effort, and it’s good that it paid off today! Now I’m looking forward to the next races,” Joly concludes.

Check the Birkebeinerrennet race report, overall standings, and all about the Visma Ski Classics.

Next up in the Visma Ski Classics is Årefjällsloppet. The 100-kilometer classic race takes place in Sweden on March 26, 2022.

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