"Sasha is a world leader by a wide margin": Bolshunov is tipped for the "Crystal Globe" after the second triumph at the "Tour de Ski"

"Sasha proved himself as a hero once again"

The Tour de Ski, which ended in Italy, turned out to be truly historical for Alexander Bolshunov.

The Russian was considered her main favorite even before the start of the stage race, especially since he came to defend the title won in 2020.

However, few could have imagined that Alexander's advantage over his opponents would be so great, even despite the absence of his main rivals - the Norwegians.

As a result, the Russian athlete rose to the podium in all eight races: he won five, became the second in two, and only in one - the third.

Previously, such a result has not been obeyed by any skier in the history of the race.

Moreover, Bolshunov, following the results of the Tour, broke away from the closest rival Maurice Manifik for a record long time - 3 minutes 23.9 seconds.

The previous achievement belonged to the Norwegian Martin Jonsrud Sundby, who was ahead of Finn Hogen Krogh by 3 minutes and 15.7 seconds in 2016.

And after the end of the last stage, in which Bolshunov showed strong work at the finish, Alexander did not at all look like a man who ran eight races in ten days.

He literally jumped onto the pedestal with a victorious roar, and then sang the Russian anthem loudly enough.

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"Cool.

All victories are important, but the "Tour" is a special race that lasts ten days, eight races, and I am happy to win this really difficult competition.

Here you need to be completely prepared, from the first to the last race.

For me, the "Tour" always starts with the first stage and ends here, at the top of Alpe Cermis.

And I am glad that I am winning it for the second year in a row, "- quotes the words of the athlete" Match TV ". 

Along the way, he practically secured his second consecutive victory in the overall World Cup.

After the end of the "Tour" Bolshunov with 1297 points is 666 points ahead of the closest pursuer - compatriot Ivan Yakimushkin.

In addition, Alexander may well set a couple of records in the KM.

For example, he has already broken into the top 10 in the history of the tournament with seven victories in a season.

The record holder for this indicator Sundby - 14. The Russian climbed into the top ten and in terms of the number of podium hits per season - 13 (Dario Cologna - 20). 

Finally, if Bolshunov finishes in the top three in the next race, he will repeat Vladimir Smirnov's record for the duration of series of starts on CM with medals - ten.

Moreover, the Olympic champion established this achievement in the distant 1995/96 season.

However, Alexander himself is already thinking more about the World Championship, where his main rivals can come. 

“We need to take a break from the Tour and prepare for the World Cup, because, as I understand it, the Norwegian national team is planning a successful performance there.

Therefore, everything must be done to stop them in some races, ”the athlete added.

In turn, the coach of the Russian national ski team Yuri Borodavko, answering the question about the absence of the Norwegians on the "Tour", joked that they "quietly and nervously smoke on the sidelines."

“In each race, he did not fall below the prize places - one third, two second and five first.

This is a very worthy performance.

Of course, it pleases.

The uphill race is tough and challenging.

But Alexander had everything under control, he brought the matter to a victorious end in the overall standings, plus immediately at the final stage he became the second, losing only to Denis Spitsov, "- the specialist was glad for the ward. 

And the president of the Russian Cross-Country Skiing Federation (FLGR) Elena Vyalbe called Bolshunov a hero at the end of the last race of "Tour".

“I really liked Bolshunov, it is clear that it is hard for him, he is tired.

Everyone is tired, but Sasha is muscularly powerful, and climbing this mountain is much more difficult for him than for light athletes.

Therefore, Sasha once again showed himself as a hero ... I don't know if it is more difficult to defend victory or to achieve it for the first time.

After all, you already have experience and know what awaits you.

Sasha is not the first to win the Tour de Ski for two years in a row.

The eyes are afraid, but the arms and legs are doing it, ”R-Sport quotes Vyalbe. 

Finally, another coach of the Russian national team, Yegor Sorin, suggested that Alexander's successful performance at the stage in Italy and Switzerland should help him show good results at the planetary championship. 

“Bolshunov defended first place and showed his class.

This is a very good result and training, he suffered.

I think a successful performance at the Tour de Ski should have a positive effect on the performance at the World Cup.

In general, it was difficult to imagine such a dominance of Russian skiers.

We didn’t think about it, because there are strong Frenchmen, Dario Cologna, the Swedes could have performed better, ”the Sport24 expert quotes.

"I think he won't have any problems with the Norwegians." 

Well-known ski experts, in a conversation with RT, also rejoiced in Bolshunov's second victory in a row at the Tour and stressed that at the moment he can be considered the strongest skier on the planet.

At the same time, the world champion Alexander Zavyalov explained why Alexander cannot be called the "king of skis".

“There are very few kings in this form.

These are the people who win long distances in the Olympics.

It's still a slightly different story.

As they say, do not confuse God's gift with scrambled eggs.

But today he is a world leader by a wide margin.

Bolshunov prepared well for the season.

The coaches did their job well.

Alexander began to show great results from the first KM races and gained a boost of self-confidence.

On the whole, the guys performed excellently.

Young people are also catching up, although Bolshunov himself is not so many years old.

A generational change took place in the Russian national team.

The elders have left, while the young are daring and working, "Zavyalov was glad about the performance of the Russian team.

At the same time, according to the expert, it can already be said that the leader of the Russian team has become even stronger, despite the refusal of the Norwegians to participate both in the Tour and in the last stages of the WC.

“Last year at the Tour de Ski, the competition was much higher.

But despite this, Bolshunov was already at the start of the season in almost the same form as at the end of the past.

The World Championship will be indicative in this regard.

Let's see how the leader of the Russian team will show himself there, ”Zavyalov said.  

According to the world champion, Bolshunov is able not only to fight the Norwegians, if they still return to the largest competitions, but also to beat them.

“I think Alexander will not have any problems.

By the way, it is far from a fact that rest before the World Cup, if the Norwegians come there, will help them.

In skiing, this is not always beneficial.

Here, during the competitive period, you must always keep your muscles in good shape.

It is difficult to spend the whole season in summer-autumn preparation.

I think the Norwegians are still competing with each other, running, "Zavyalov added. 

In turn, the Olympic medalist Alexei Petukhov admired Bolshunov's power and suggested that over time he would only get stronger.

“Alexander is a real fighter and a very strong athlete.

It has been dominant for the last three to four years and is constantly progressing.

It is already quite obvious: Sasha has come to skiing for more than one year.

I think he will succeed in the future.

We see his onslaught and developed wisdom beyond his years.

I wish every young athlete to learn from Bolshunov, because he thinks ahead every step.

It is very difficult to fight with such a powerful athlete, "Petukhov told RT. 

In addition, the world champion noted the athlete's brilliant physical readiness and praised Wartko, the coach of the Russian national team, for the work. 

“All the loads that he performs under the guidance of Yuri Viktorovich help him in the races.

Moreover, they can be called a kind of outlet.

The race lasts half an hour or an hour, while Bolshunov has to train for three hours a day.

So in good condition it is for him an opportunity to enjoy the weather and show the fans what he is capable of, ”added Petukhov. 

Alexey also suggested that even if the Norwegians had come to the Tour de Ski, the Russian would still have won a landslide victory, as he did last year.

“Let it not be about a three-minute advantage over the closest rival, but he would bring the competitors a minute.

At the moment, it is very difficult for any athlete to compete with a Russian.

We ourselves saw that throughout the "Tour" he kept the speed and squeezed out the result bit by bit.

Moreover, each race became a lesson for him.

I'm sure Alexander's progress will not stop there.

I wish him further victories, a good end to the season and, most importantly, the long-awaited gold medals of the World Championship, ”concluded the expert.  

Finally, three-time Olympic champion Yulia Chepalova recalled that it is extremely difficult to win the Tour de Ski, not to mention two victories in a row. 

“I'm very happy for him.

We also performed at this stage.

Believe me, this is very difficult.

I can imagine what Sasha went through.

You need to be ready for this competition not only physically, but also psychologically.

Therefore, of course, he is a great fellow.

Applause, ”Chepalova said. 

The three-time Olympic champion, like Petukhov, noted Bolshunov's excellent physical readiness, which helped him to hold eight races in ten days at a high level.

“It's good that he withstood these crazy loads.

He had a goal.

It is very important when it is there.

It is difficult to say whether he will be able to maintain his form for the World Cup.

I would like to wish him only the best.

God grant that Alexander will please us with victories at the championship of the planet.

It will also be great if he wins the World Cup again, ”Chepalova said.

At the same time, the owner of the CM, unlike other experts, does not believe that Bolshunov is superior to skiers from Norway who continue to train at home.  

“It is a pity that the Scandinavians did not come to the Tour.

If they agreed to participate in the race, we would witness an exciting struggle.

In my opinion, Bolshunov is at their level.

Still, the Norwegians show a very high class, the Scandinavian team has very strong guys.

It would be an equal, worthy fight, ”Chepalova stressed.