Johaug looked to have decided the race well ahead of the goal in Norwegian Meråker but it was exciting when Ingvild Flugstad Östberg found new powers and approached and was only four seconds behind in goal. Johaug had a time of 1.26.32.
In the men's race Alexander Bolshunov lost and won at 1.19.35. A good bit further down the field, sprint-focused Teodor Peterson came in as 72nd on 1.28.16, which meant he had the entire steamer ahead. He just kept away for Ebba Andersson who was four in the women's class.
The Norwegian Daily newspaper was pleased with the result and informed Peterson that he "almost beat Johaug and Östberg" and wondered what it was like.
- It is big. It's big, Peterson says with clear irony to Dagbladet.
There were several sprinters in the queue and they had a relaxed ride in the mountains.
- We were a bunch who walked in a cluster farther behind the field and had a nice ride, says Peterson.
How much faster could you have gone?
- I don't know, it's hard to say.
Iversen: "Embarrassing to be beaten by a girl"Emil Iversen thinks it is embarrassing that male World Cup riders get beat by women in this type of race.
- It's boring. Therese is extremely strong, but Teodor has to train a bit more at longer distances. There were many flat parties and downhill slopes here, so he should have beaten Therese in this race, says Iversen, adding:
- It's always embarrassing to be beaten by a girl.
Several talented male spacers had plenty to keep away from Johaug & Co in time. Maurice Manificat, who has several World Cup victories in the distance race, was just two minutes ahead of Johaug.
- Did I beat Johaug in two minutes? Yes! It was a relief says Manificat and laughs.
- It is very impressive by Joaug and Östberg, that they are so close to us. What is surprising and rather sick is that Johaug went the entire race alone, while Östberg also did a lot of the work himself, says the Frenchman.