ROLLER SKI. Marit Bjoergen and Frenchman Jean-Marc Gaillard won the first race of Toppidrettsveka 2011 in Aure. Bjoergen and Gaillard breasted the tape in strong competition.

Sovereign Bjoergen

Only one day after her crushing victory in the first competition of the FIS Rollerski World Championships Bjoergen scored another victory in the Classical Uphill Mass Start race. In the end of the 24 km long Toppidrettsveka course Bjoergen built up a gap over a minute ahead of her compatriot Vibeke Skofterud. Aino Kaiso Saarinen of Finland claimed third place with more than four-minute gap. Saarinen prevailed over attacking Kristin Stoermer Steira.

Gaillard won the day in sprint

Unlike the ladies’ competition the men’s race was open quite a long time. In the end Frenchman Jean-Marc Gaillard had more left in the tank and beat strong Swiss Dario Cologna. Local hero Martin Johnsrud sundby crossed the finish line on third place with +4,7 sec gap.

Toppdrettsveka continues today

Today’s program of Toppidrettsveka continues with 38 MTB race in the morning and 1,5 km Classical Sprint in the afternoon. You can find more information at www.toppidrettsveka.no

Contributed by www.xc-ski.de
FIScrosscountry.com
Thursday 11 August 2011