Emil Persson has become the great superb in the cross-country Cup Ski Classics.
Last season, he broke a nine-year Norwegian dominance when he became the first Swede on the men's side to take home the overall victory.
This year, he started by winning the Ski Classics premiere in Orsa Grönklitt and thus leads before this weekend's competitions in Italian South Tyrol.
- I think there are a hell of a lot of people who want to hit me.
Almost more than it was in Orsa and I will probably make life miserable for them, he says.
You feel hunted. How much do you notice about it?
- It is not that much.
I try to focus on myself.
Then you are not as helped in the group anymore, you do not get in anywhere.
They kind of try to cooperate across the team to beat me too, it feels a little more than before, says earlier.
Less good charge
However, Persson has not had an optimal charge.
The 26-year-old has been awkward and has missed a lot of training before Saturday.
- I got a little snotty after a few days at the height.
It was a few days without training but now I have been without any workouts.
It is not optimal, he says.
This weekend's competitions start with 62 kilometers on Saturday and are followed by 32 kilometers on Sunday.
But depending on how it feels on Saturday, there is a risk that Persson will not show up on Sunday.
- If it goes really bad on Saturday, there is no reason to risk.
Then I can train and focus on the next race instead, he says.
SVT broadcasts from the competitions on Saturday and Sunday.
Watch the entire TV show for the week here.
ARCHIVE: SVT's reporter Johan Kücükaslan met Emil Persson before the season (November 11)
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Winter star: Emil Persson