The 20-year-old Norwegian is doing as he pleases in his Tour de Ski debut. Now the national team coach responds.

The Junior World Champion is leaving World and Olympic champions behind just three weeks after his World Cup debut. Only Johannes Høsflot Klæbo was faster than Lars Heggen in the freestyle sprint final at the Tour de Ski.

Also Read: Norway sweeps podium at Tour de Ski sprint in Toblach

The 20-year-old from Harestua, Norway, finished sixth in the prologue and was the third-fastest Norwegian. He dominated his quarterfinal heat and placed second in the semifinal, narrowly behind last season’s breakthrough skier Oskar Opstad Vike. In the final, Heggen finished second, just 0.13 seconds behind Johannes Høsflot Klæbo.

“I felt good all day, but the quarterfinal was the toughest. The semifinal was very good, and overall it was just great fun,” Heggen said after claiming his first World Cup podium.

Asked about his expectations for the rest of the Tour de Ski, he replied:

“There are still a few races left. I don’t know if it will be as good as this, but I hope I can be competitive in all of them.”

Several observers have already pointed to Heggen as a potential overall podium contender in this year’s Tour de Ski.

Read More – Tour de Ski 2025/2026: Favorites, challengers, and key storylines ahead of the start

Norwegian national team coach in awe of the rising star

At the finish line, a beaming national team coach was quick to praise the young Norwegian.

“You don’t joke around with Lars Heggen,” national team coach Arild Monsen told Viasat after the performance.

“He’s already a top-level skier now and will be in the future as well. I’m incredibly impressed with him. He’s someone we’ll get a lot of joy from,” Monsen said with a smile.

“He’s an all-rounder, from sprint to distance. Things look very promising.”

National team spot handed out on the spot

Monsen described Heggen as a “generational talent” and highlighted the work of the private team, Team Aker Dæhlie.

“It was probably no coincidence that he was so strong during Toppidrettsveka this summer. He, coach Mats Iversen, and the team have done a very good job,” the national team coach said.

He then went a step further, effectively offering Heggen a spot on the national team live on air.

“It certainly smells like the next step with the national team for him. There’s no doubt about that.”

Sunday’s sprint in Toblach marked the opening race of the Tour de Ski 2025/2026. The Tour continues Monday with a 10km individual start race in classic technique.

Also Read – Tour de Ski 2025/2026: Standings, start lists and start times ahead of the 10km Classic in Toblach

FACTS Tour de Ski Season 2025/2026

• When: Sunday, December 28, 2025, to Sunday, January 4, 2026
• Who: Elite national skiers – women and men
• Where: Toblach/ITA and Val di Fiemme/ITA
• What: FIS Tour de Ski

PROGRAM

Sunday, December 28: Toblach, Italy – Sprint Freestyle (More information can be found HERE)

• 11:45 CET: Sprint Qualification Freestyle, Women
• 12:27 CET: Sprint Qualification Freestyle, Men
• 14:15 CET: Sprint Heats/Finals Freestyle, Women
• 14:15 CET: Sprint Heats/Finals Freestyle, Men

Monday, December 29, Toblach, Italy – 10km Interval Start Classic (More information can be found HERE)

• 11:45 CET: 10km Interval Start Classic, Men
• 14:45 CET: 10km Interval Start Classic, Women

Wednesday, December 31: Toblach, Italy – 5km Heat Mass Start Freestyle (More information can be found HERE)

• 11:30 CET: 5km Heat Mass Start Freestyle, Men
• 14:30 CET: 5km Heat Mass Start Freestyle, Women

Thursday, January 1: Toblach, Italy – 20km Pursuit Classic (More information can be found HERE)

• 10:30 CET: 20km Pursuit Classic, Men
• 12:30 CET: 20km Pursuit Classic, Women

Saturday, January 3: Val di Fiemme, Italy – Sprint Classic (More information can be found HERE)

• 12:15 CET: Sprint Qualification Classic, Women
• 12:15 CET: Sprint Qualification Classic, Men
• 14:45 CET: Sprint Heats/Finals Classic, Women
• 14:45 CET: Sprint Heats/Finals Classic, Men

Sunday, January 4: Val di Fiemme, Italy – 10km Mass Start Freestyle – Cermis Final Climb (More information can be found HERE)

• 11:30 CET: 10km Mass Start Freestyle – Final Climb, Men
• 15:30 CET: 10km Mass Start Freestyle – Final Climb, Women

Also Read – Cross-country skiing World Cup: Calendar for the 2025/2026 winter season

Are you interested in traditional cross-country skiing? Click HERE and read more about it.

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