Jørgen Nordhagen has already decided to start skiing. On Wednesday, he outclassed the competitors in the 20-kilometer free technique in the junior WC.
It was a rare victory on the slopes in the Slovenian Planica. Already after 7 kilometres, Nordhagen decided to run, and no one could keep up with the 19-year-old boy from Tranby on the way to WC gold.
He quickly built up a lead of over half a minute, and after half the race the distance to the nearest competitors was down to almost a minute.
– I don’t think I’ve seen anything like this at this point for 20 kilometers before. He has completely destroyed the pursuer group, exclaimed FIS’ TV commentator.
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– Worst I’ve seen
Nordhagen continued to increase the lead in the rounds that followed, and there was never any doubt as to who would walk away with the gold. At the last break, he led by well over two minutes to the nearest challengers, the Italian duo Davide Ghio and Aksel Artusi.
– Want what Jørgen Nordhagen is doing in the junior WC. Demonstration of power. Senior walking. This would have lasted a long time in the World Cup, writes national team manager for Great Britain, Jostein Vinjerui, on his X-profile.
TV 2’s cross-country expert Petter Skinstad gives up completely.
– This is one of the worst things I have seen. Must then be the worst that has ever been performed in a junior CM. After all, he covers the “whole” field in one round, he writes in the same app.
Adding up
After the WC, Nordhagen will change sports. He has signed a contract with the cycling team Visma-Lease a Bike, and for the rest of the season he will ride for the development team there.
– I feel I have made a good effort towards the goals I have set for myself. Now I’m going to the Junior WC, and after that I’m a cyclist, he added TV 2 recently.
(©NTB)