Andersson is inspired by Johaug: "It has to strive for"

After the first two stages, the Russian Natalija Nepryajeva leads the Tour de Ski overall. Johaug is third, five seconds behind. Ebba Andersson, who went out in the sprint qualifying, is nine - 28 seconds behind the leader.

- I think I should just try to make individual good stages and then hopefully be able to climb a bit in the total, says tour debutant Andersson about the continuation.

On Tuesday, it's time for stage three; 10 and 15 km in freestyle respectively.

- It will be exciting with a race in individual start, it will be the premiere for me this season. I don't really know what to expect.

Johaug is of course a big favorite in the race. But that Ebba Andersson, and even Ingvild Flugstad Östberg, are now back in the World Cup, those who hope for tougher competition for the sovereign delight. But the hopes from the outside are nothing Andersson attaches great importance to.

- I ski as soon as I can, Therese does the same. Then the results in the future will show what momentum we both hold. I can't influence how fast she goes, I have to think about what to do out there in the track.

However, Andersson finds great inspiration from his Norwegian competitor.

- It feels like an inspiration that you can go skiing so fast. It feels like it would also be possible for me someday. I find it inspiring to have someone to hunt.

Do you look at anything she does?

- First and foremost, I focus on myself. I have no insight into what she does in training. Instead, I see it as being able to ski fast and have it to strive for.