The traditional cross-country skiing star Johannes Høsflot Klæbo is forced to change his training plans once again.

The summer hasn’t gone as planned for Johannes Høsflot Klæbo. With the World Championships at home the upcoming winter, he isn’t taking any chances in his preparations. Now, Klæbo must adjust his plans once again.

In June, Klæbo had to leave the national team camp and returned home after the first day of the intensive training in Fredrikstad. The reason was an overuse injury in his elbow.

Read More: Klæbo travels home from the national team training camp

In July, it became clear that the 27-year-old had to skip the entire Blink Festival, where he was supposed to participate in both the mass start and sprint in Sandnes. The overuse injury still bothered him, and illness had disrupted his rehabilitation.

Also Read: Klæbo skips Blink Festival

The plan was to train 100 hours in July, but instead, he ended up taking extra vacation in France with his girlfriend and the Tour de France.

Klæbo is now cleared to train but still must change his plans.

Initially, the traditional cross-country skiing star was supposed to compete in all four events at the Toppidrettsveka next week, where he is the defending champion after winning overall last year.

Although Klæbo has finally been able to train normally this past week, he has decided to be cautious about returning to competition.

In consultation with sprint coach Arild Monsen, he has decided to skip one of the races at Toppidrettsveka. Therefore, he will miss the sprint in Aure next Thursday.

“We think four competitions in a row are too much after the summer he’s had,” says Monsen to Adresseavisen.

Now, Klæbo plans to participate in the long-distance race on Hitra on Wednesday evening, which is the opening event of Toppidrettsveka, followed by the two competitions in Granåsen. On Friday, there will be a 20-kilometer race, and on Saturday, a 12-kilometer pursuit finale.

The organizers are expecting the most competitive field ever for the prestigious competition weekend, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. Toppidrettsveka is not just a chance to test the World Championship courses with a bib number; it’s also the last opportunity to compete against the World Cup elite at the World Championships venue before the championships itself in just over half a year.

FACTS: Toppidrettsveka 2024

• Who: Senior athletes – women and men
• What: International roller ski competition over four days. Toppidrettsveka is being held for the 20th time this year
• Where: Hitra (Trøndelag), Aure (Møre og Romsdal), and Granåsen (Trondheim)
• When: August 14-17, 2024
• Reigning Champions: Tiril Udnes Weng and Johannes Høsflot Klæbo
• TV: All competitions will be broadcast on NRK

Competition Program for Toppidrettsveka 2024

Wednesday, August 14, Hitra:
Long-distance race 56km from Knarren Brygge to Fillan, mass start, classic technique

• 18:10 CET: Women’s start at Knarren Brygge
• 18:35 CET: Men’s start at Knarren Brygge
• 20:40-20:50 CET: Finish for women and men at Fillan
• 20:50 CET: Award ceremony

Thursday, August 15, Aure:
Sprint, 1.4km classic technique

• 17:05 CET: Women’s prologue
• 17:40 CET: Men’s prologue
• 19:20 CET: Quarterfinals
• 20:10 CET: Semifinals
• 20:35 CET: Women’s final
• 20:45 CET: Men’s final
• 20:50 CET: Award ceremony

Friday, August 16, Granåsen:
20km mass start, classic

• 19:20 CET: Start 20km women
• 20:05 CET: Finish women
• 20:10 CET: Start 20km men
• 20:50 CET: Finish men
• 21:00 CET: Award ceremony

Saturday, August 17, Granåsen:
Finale 12km pursuit, free technique

• 15:20: Start 12km women
• 15:50: Finish women
• 16:00: Start 12km men
• 16:25: Finish men
• 16:35: Award ceremony

All competitions will be broadcast on NRK.

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