Norway got off to a dream start on the opening weekend in Ruka, Finland.
Johannes Hösflot Kläbo won ahead of compatriots Even Northug and Pål Golberg.
- The fact that we are three Norwegians on the podium is a little extra nice.
It's a good team effort and a good Norwegian day, says Kläbo.
The margin of victory in the sprint was 1.66 seconds ahead of the runner-up.
This despite the fact that the thigh injury refuses to give in completely.
- At the start and on the last hill I felt it the most.
But as soon as you put on the starting number you get a bit of adrenaline so I guess that took some of the pain away.
The way it feels right now, it still feels doable.
There is no concern to compete with pain?
- In a competition like this, it's not just my hamstring that I feel.
You get pain all over your body.
The risk of it getting worse is very small, that's what I've been told.
I just have to trust the process we are going through.
"Will do everything I can"
Kläbo takes the opportunity to pay tribute to Sweden - at the same time as he suffers with Maja Dahlqvist.
- I feel sorry for Maja, of course.
But Sweden is strong on the women's side, and Calle is in the final today.
It will be exciting to see if he can continue this strong, he has the potential to go strong tomorrow (10 kilometer classic).
If Calle Halfvarsson will be able to challenge him?
- I will do everything I can to prevent him from succeeding.
But we'll see, it will be exciting, says Kläbo.