At first he won everything he entered - but on Sunday Johannes Hösflot Kläbo was forced to withdraw his bid for the mass start in Lillehammer.

"He does not want to take any risks and therefore chooses to stand over today's 20 km classic mass start in order to be ready for next weekend's World Cup in Beitostölen," the association wrote at the time.

But the cold the 26-year-old is suffering from refuses to let go - and he will miss the competitions this weekend.

- Now I have to get well.

Obviously it's boring.

I would have liked to be in good shape and compete.

Unfortunately, the situation is not like that.

Right now I don't know when I'm ready, says Kläbo in a press release.

Earlier this week, Kläbo said he is giving up hope of winning the World Cup this season.

CLIP: Johannes Hösflot Kläbo won the 10 km classic (November 26)

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Calle Halfvarsson lost after a brilliant opening - and Johannes Hösflot Kläbo took his second straight World Cup victory.

Photo: Bildbyrån