One day after Pustertaler Ski Marathon, Prato Piazza Mountain Challenge takes place in Italy. Who are the top favorites to win this uphill race? Is it safe to say the usual suspects are the top contenders, or does the unique profile of the race bring new opportunities to different Pro Tour athletes?

The 32-kilometer uphill race might give long-distance skiers with good climbing capabilities the chance to fight for victory. Six kilometers with an average gradient of 10% on an old military road will test the best climbers’ abilities.

The Favorite Skiers To win The Men’s Race

This is the case of Johannes Eklöf, Team Ramudden, the winner of last year’s edition and one of the favorites for this Sunday. The Swedish skier has been longing for this race. 

“I really want to see if this competition goes as it was last year and if it will be a fight between kick-wax and no kick-wax,” Johannes said during the pre-event interview earlier this week while also stating that he will be going for the no kick-wax side.

Read More: Pre-Event Interviews Live On SC YouTube

Other strong climbers, such as Tord Asle Gjerdalen, Team XPND Fuel, who won last year’s La Venosta Time Trial and is known for being fast in hilly terrains. Last year, Tord Asle finished 3rd at Prato Piazza Mountain Challenge, and he is for sure one of the skiers who might reach the top of the podium.

Another Pro Tour athlete who may be fighting for the victory is Johan Hoel, Team Ragde Charge. The Norwegian skier had a strong season start and is currently leading the Climb competition. After reaching the Bad Gastein Criterium podium, Hoel seems to be in good shape, especially in uphill courses.

But the usual suspects, the all-around long-distance skiers like Emil Persson, Lager 157 Ski Team, will be there. As a matter of fact, Emil just said during the press conference on Wednesday that he has been developing his climbing capabilities. 

“On Summer and Autumn, I felt I developed as a skier in the uphills.”

As mentioned this week in the pre-event interview and confirmed this evening, Andreas Nygaard, Team Ragde Charge, will not start tomorrow’s Prato Piazza Mountain Challenge. The reason is that he is still recovering from health issues after his SkiErg World Record.

“I guess I will only do Saturday’s race because two races in a weekend might be too much since I am still recovering, and Marcialonga is coming,” said Nygaard during the interview on Wednesday. 

“Saturday’s race has everything, a long course with uphill and downhill parts. It’s the funniest race, like La Diagonela and Marcialonga. You get almost three hours at high intensity. And if I rest on Sunday, the race can help me reach another level.”

The Favorite Skiers To Win The Women’s Race

On the women’s side, Astrid Øyre Slind, Team Aker Dæhlie, is one of the contenders for victory. Astrid finished Tour de Ski at 7th overall, with a solid performance in distance and sprint disciplines. 

However, the Norwegian hasn’t recovered yet from the competitions and has been trying to regain her energy levels. 

Astrid decided not to compete in Pustertaler Ski Marathon, so she will probably have a higher energy level at the starting line of the Prato Piazza Mountain Challenge. And after her performance at Alpe de Cermis climb, Astrid seems to be performing strong on shorter and hillier terrains.

Emilie Fleten, Team Ramudden, the current 2nd place in the Climb competition, is also one of the female skiers to watch tomorrow morning. The Norwegian skier has been showing great strength, and she might be one of the skiers that can challenge Astrid and Ida’s dominance.

Speaking of Ida Dahl, the current Yellow bib holder and the winner of last year’s Prato Piazza Mountain Challenge might be the most probable winner of Sunday’s race. Despite having raced at Tour de Ski, Ida is in good shape. And the Swedish skier is openly fighting for the Yellow bib overall, so Ski Classics races are still her focus for the season.

The upcoming Ski Classics Pro Tour event is Prato Piazza Mountain Challenge, a 32km race in Italy tomorrow, January 15, 2023.

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, 40km 
• 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, 55km 
• Event 7: January 29, 2023 – Marcialonga, Trentino, Italy, 70km
• Event 8: February 12, 2023 – Jizerská50, Bedrichov, Czech Republic, 50km
• Event 9: February 18, 2023 – Grönklitt Criterium, Orsa Grönklitt, Sweden, 50km
• Event 10: February 19, 2023 – Grönklitt ITT, Orsa Grönklitt, Sweden, 15km
• 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 and overall standings you can find at skiclassics.com.

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