In addition to well-known names such as Johaug, Heidi Weng, Ragnhild Haga and Ingvild Flugstad Östberg, the Norwegian team consists of many younger women. This makes the differences in experience and training quite different. Johaug runs tours up and down to the national team hotel at 1750 meters altitude in France.
- It's totally crazy if they should try to accompany me on roller skis or running here. They will break completely. Now it is a very young team with many younger women. It is important for them that there will be no "lap time training", that they should try to keep up with me. It won't be fun if you can't work out and exercise, says Therese Johaug to the World Gang.
"A little dangerous"
Ragnhild Haga took the Olympic gold at 10 kilometers 2018 and tells that the national team team usually train with the men on long trips. A warning can be good, although it also gives a lot for the team to see how Johaug trains, the 28-year-old thinks.
- We are extremely privileged to be able to see where the best in the world is and you can base yourself on that. I think it's divided. It's a bit dangerous, but also incredibly good to have a rider like Therese in the team, she tells the magazine.
"Can't hang on"
One of the younger players in the team, 22-year-old Tiril Udnes Weng, testifies to the great distances to Johaug on tough slopes.
- Obviously you can't hang on to her. But when we train at high altitude we ride on lighter wheels. Then we can actually hang on for a few seconds without being discouraged, ”she says.