Petter Northug is not surprised that Torleif Syrstad won Vasaloppet. He is sure of what is behind it.

Torleif Syrstad surprised many when he won Vasaloppet on Sunday, broking away with 25km to go. At best, the 29-year-old from Norway was an outsider for the podium but won the 100th edition of the prestigious long-distance race with almost a four-minute margin to Johan Hoel from Team Ragde Charge, one of the pre-race favorites.

“It’s been long days and sometimes little sleep. I’ve been a bit upset because I’ve had a job; I really wanted to commit 100 percent this year,” Syrstad said after the victory.

However, Petter Northug is unsurprised that the competitor, who skis for the Swedish Pro Team Lager 157 Ski Team, won Vasaloppet, even though Syrstad works full-time in addition to his Pro Tour efforts. Syrstad has indeed moved into his old studio apartment in Meråker.

“There is something magical about that apartment in Meråker. I’m not surprised that he’s making progress by living there,” Northug told NRK after the finish.

The 38-year-old Northug finished Vasaloppet in 18th place, nearly nine minutes behind the winner.

“It was tough and brutal, and I would have liked to have had different conditions. But top 20 is a triumph,” says Northug after the race.

Vasaloppet was Northug’s primary goal for the season. Before the race, Northug said he would have traded one of his 13 World Championships golds for a victory in the 90km classic race from Sälen to Mora.

Read More: Northug would swap a World Championships gold for victory at Vasaloppet

Vasaloppet Season XV – Video Highlights

Next up is Birkebeinerrennet on March 16. The event marks the twelfth Ski Classics stage and another Grand Classics event, Season XV.

The Season XV of Ski Classics Pro Tour consists of 15 events on 11 event weekends in 6 different countries. 

SKI CLASSICS PRO TOUR SEASON XV (2023/2024)

• Event 1: December 9, 2023 – Bad Gastein PTT, Austria, 13km
• Event 2: December 10, 2023 – Bad Gastein Criterium, Austria, 36km
• Event 3: December 16, 2023 – La Venosta Criterium, Italy, 37km 
• Event 4: December 17, 2023 – La Venosta ITT, Italy, 10km
• Event 5: January 13, 2024 – 3 Zinnen Ski Marathon, Italy, 62km
• Event 6: January 20, 2024 – Engadin La Diagonela, Switzerland, 55km
• Event 7: January 28, 2024 – Marcialonga, Italy, 70km
• Event 8: February 11, 2024 – Jizerská50, Czech Republic, 50km
• Event 9: February 17, 2024 – Grönklitt Classic, Sweden, 60km
• Event 10: February 18, 2024 – Grönklitt ITT, Sweden, 13km
• Event 11: March 3, 2024 – Vasaloppet, Sweden, 90km
• Event 12: March 16, 2024 – Birkebeinerrennet, Norway, 54km
• Event 13: April 6, 2024 – Reistadløpet, Norway, 50km
• Event 14: April 7, 2024 – Summit 2 Senja, Norway, 60km
• Event 15: April 13, 2024 – Ski Classics Grand Finale – Janteloppet, Norway, 100km

More information about the Ski Classics Pro Tour can be found at skiclassics.com