Bolshunov received a warning for unsporting conduct, and the move marked a new era of hostile racing between the countries. For the Russians, it was further evidence substantiating their claims that the rulebook applied to only one team.Ī couple of weeks later, in the Holmenkollen 50-kilometer race, Bolshunov, who was skiing just ahead of Emil Iversen, stopped abruptly just before the intermediate sprint, thwarting Iversen’s chances to collect points. The jury disqualified Ustiugov for unsportsmanlike conduct while Klæbo’s interference went unpunished. Ustiugov responded by slapping Klæbo on the face. Klæbo cut Ustiugov off on a corner, riding over his skis. Nevertheless, as the season progressed, the point spread between Klæbo and Bolshunov grew tighter.Īn altercation between Ustiugov and Klæbo in the World Championship sprint race in Seefeld would add bad blood to the rivalry. (Photo: NordicFocus)Īs the season progressed, the Norwegians continued to taunt the Russians as a hapless bunch, too concerned with fighting each other for places on the team to mount a genuine threat. Alexander Bolshunov (RUS), Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo (NOR), Sergey Ustiugov (RUS), (l-r) early during Stage 5 of the 2019/2020 TdS in Val di Fiemme, Italy. Bolshunov would finish fifth in the Tour, and third in the race that spoiled Ustiugov’s chance. Ustiugov was second, just 16 seconds behind. Bolshunov wanted to try and win the race, and he didn’t especially care if it cost Ustiugov the Tour.Īfter the final climb up Alpe Cermis, Klæbo was the winner. Ustiugov was in Cramer’s group, Bolshunov in Borodavko’s-there was no special alliance. When Bolshunov was asked another time if he would work together with Ustiugov in a race he responded, “ Through the race, we can help each other, but Sergey and I are rivals. “We have another runner, Bolshunov, who can fight for the overall winner. ![]() Markus Cramer, a coach for Russia, tepidly defended Bolshunov’s greedy maneuver. Hans Christer Holund couldn’t believe what he was seeing, saying, “They’re as stupid as bread…I just had to laugh inside myself, even though I was tired.” Nossum, the Norwegian distance coach, also delighted in thanking the Russians for the victory on Instagram. The race cost Ustiugov more than 40 seconds to Klæbo, doubling the Norwegian’s lead. It was a bad day for Ustiugov, and his teammates made it worse, with Bolshunov leading the effort to drop Ustiugov. Sergey Ustiugov was initially seen to be the main threat to Klæbo’s World Cup campaign, haunting him in the Tour de Ski until the penultimate race of the Tour in Val di Fiemme, Italy. ![]() You can find part three here.ĭuring the season of 2018/19, there was fierce competition for the overall World Cup between Johannes Høsflot Klæbo and Alexander Bolshunov, who surprised the Norwegians by proving to be a versatile and resilient competitor. This is the second part of a three-part series on Russia’s Alexander Bolshunov. Russia’s Alexander Bolshunov leads five Norwegians in the men’s 2018 classic sprint final at the World Cup in Drammen, Norway: (from l to r) Eriik Brandsdal, Johannes Høsflot Klæbo (yellow bib), Sindre Bjørnestad Skar (10), Kasper Stadaas (16), and Emil Iversen.
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