On a 32 kilometer long track in the Småland forests, this year's country road championship would be decided on pace. The favorite team got Tobias Ludvigsson and Lisa Nordén in charge - and they did not disappoint.

Won despite chain problems

The ladies were the first to reach the two temp yards outside Jönköping. Stockholm cyclist Nathalie Eklund ran her first tempo race in her career and probably surprised many when she went out in an early lead. Eklund came in at 45.33 and had a long lead. But then Lisa Nordén had not stepped into the act yet.

The former Olympic silver medalist in triathlon has in recent years invested more and more in cycling and had two straight gold in the branch before the day's SM race. Although the 34-year-old had problems with the chain during the first lap, the technology trolley did not noticeably affect. Nordén finally finished with 1.14 down to second Nathalie Ekund.

- The other girls run fast so you don't have much margin to do with anything else. I got sharpened on the other lap and I felt I had good legs and good pressure in my body, Nordén told SVT Sport after the race.

Ludvigsson superior among the gentlemen

When it was time for the men, most people agreed that it was a heavy favorite on the reigning champion Tobias Ludvigsson. The Huskvarnabördiga Ludvigsson with qualifications from Vuelta de España and Giro d'Italia raced at home in Småland and went out as the last cyclist for the day.

Ludvigsson struck out midway through the middle and came in with a goal of 38.17.56, a full minute and 41 seconds down to second Erik Bergström Frisk. Ludvigsson's gold means that he, just like Lisa Nordén, also takes her third straight tempo gold.