The Olympic dream ended in December. The Norwegian national team spot was lost in April. Now he reveals entirely new plans for his career.

The pre-Christmas season was far from stellar, and the Olympic dream was dashed as early as December. However, during the 50km race at the Norwegian Championship part two at the end of March, Iver Tildheim Andersen clinched gold, beating both national teammate Andreas Fjorden Ree and this winter’s rising star Einar Hedegart.

Yet, the achievement was not enough to secure his place on the Norwegian national team.

Now, Norwegian cross-country skiing may have lost another star. Following his exclusion from the national team, the 25-year-old from Rustad has turned to road cycling.

Tildheim Andersen took care of the formalities: he joined Ringerike Cycling Club, found an ambitious amateur team, and began competing. The results have exceeded all expectations.

“I can see that I handle the bike quite well, and I feel that I might be built more for cycling than for cross-country skiing,” Tildheim Andersen told Langrenn.com, explaining.

“In cross-country skiing, my strength is in my leg work, so it’s not a bad thing for me to avoid using my upper body.”

In his first active race at the national cup level, he went straight to the podium. Last weekend, he secured his first victory with Team Fleischer Finans. After three weekends of racing, Tildheim Andersen has a first place, a second place, and two third places – including one in the national cup.

Now he wants more. Much more.

“It was really exciting, and I see that I have many margins to exploit still. So it will be fun to see how far I can go,” says Tildheim Andersen, adding.

“But I need a team. In cycling, you can’t do much on your own.”

So you’re chasing a pro contract with a continental team? 

“Yes, a continental team would be a great start. But you have to be good enough, and the level in Norwegian cycling is very high.”

At the end of June, Tildheim Andersen will receive a form of confirmation. He will compete in the Norwegian Championship (NM), where the entire Norwegian elite will be present.

“It will be a step up. But it will be cool to compete against the world elite. The Norwegian pros are performing at the top in the biggest races. So the NM is the big highlight before summer.”

Keeping the door open for cross-country skiing

Despite losing both the Olympic dream and his national team spot, Tildheim Andersen has not ruled out a cross-country skiing career.

“The season before Christmas was boring, and the air went out of the balloon a bit then. But I had some bright spots at the end of the season that suited me well. My body responded better in the 50km at Holmenkollen, and it was really fun to finish with NM gold in the 50km. That is undoubtedly the highlight of my career,” says Tildheim Andersen, before adding.

“But there’s a long time between each time we race the 50km freestyle.”

Tempted by the World Championships in Falun

At the same time, Tildheim Andersen points out that the 50km at the World Championships in Falun next winter will be in freestyle, which motivates him.

“The World Championship 50km in Falun is a natural goal for the winter, so the idea is to sharpen my training even more towards that,” he says.

“But it won’t be easy to qualify for that team. And outside the national team, it becomes even more important to be present from the start, so you can get out early on the World Cup.”

In hindsight, Tildheim Andersen sees that this might have been where he missed out last winter.

“I probably should have focused more on freestyle, as some have had great success with this winter, instead of concentrating so much on classic. That didn’t bring me closer to anything.”

Going private

Tildheim Andersen was offered a spot on the regional team when he lost his national team position, but he declined.

“I didn’t feel it was the right path for me moving forward. I thought some younger and promising athletes should have the chance instead,” says Iver Tildheim Andersen to Langrenn.com.

The path forward now involves a private setup and his home club Rustad IL, but the plan is not yet finalized.

“Cycling is prioritized first. I feel that I have untapped potential there, and I’m excited to see how good I can become.”

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