The skiers hung together for two laps. But on the third, Eric Rosjö pushed on and convincingly won the mass start at the Swedish Championships.

Ten laps on the course in Västerås, Sweden, was on the program for the first roller skiing competition during the Swedish Championships week.

The men were first out, and Simon Andersson took control on the first two laps. Then, a group of ten athletes broke away.

Eric Rosjö pushed hard on the third lap, and the distance grew. After half the distance, the lead was 21 seconds. Two laps later, it was up to 35 seconds.

“I wanted a fast race. The course is so flat, and I don’t have the best sprint in the world. But then I was not prepared to go so early, but I was very happy that it was held. I tried to keep on the same pace, but the last three laps were among the worst I’ve done, says Rosjö to SVT and according to Langd.se.

The gap finally stopped at 41 seconds, and after that, Rosjö slowed down on the final kilometer.

In the group behind, it was a sprint battle where Karl-Johan Westberg was the strongest, just before Alfred Buskqvist.

“Just want to congratulate Eric. He is one of the best roller skiers in the world. I have hoped for a slightly fitter body. It was tough today. On the race, I chose to go early; there was a tailwind, and I thought that you do not earn so much to be behind,” says Westberg to SVT.

The women’s mass start race started at 14:15 CET. Stay tuned for the race report.

Swedish Championships Week – Roller Ski Mass Start

1. Eric Rosjö, Mora, 35:36
2. Karl-Johan Westberg, Borås, +41.1
3. Alfred Buskqvist, Stern, +41.4
4. Simon Karlsson, Umeå, +41.5
5. Gustaf Berglund, Mora, +41.7

HERE YOU CAN FIND THE RESULTS

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