Max Novak was the best Swede in the La Venosta race last year, then in fourth place 44 seconds behind the victorious Tord Asle Gjerdalen.

This year's course is completely different to last year - now a lap race of a total of 36 kilometers awaits.

A serious test of strength at an altitude of almost 2,000 metres.

- Right here, it's quite slow in the snow too, so it becomes another dimension.

You don't get anything for free and if you go over a certain limit, it takes a long time to recover, if you even do it.

I will just try to stay in the lead and not get behind someone who is blocking, says Novak.

Emil Persson comes to La Venosta with the yellow leader's vest after victory last weekend in Bad Gastein.

However, he keeps a fairly low profile before the start but, just like Novak, is looking for his own revenge in the Italian mountains.

- I didn't like that valley, I haven't skied well there before, but then I'll take revenge this year.

It will probably be a fairly similar race to the last one, it's a fairly tight lap track, so it will probably be intense.

Will be far ahead and monitor what is happening and happening.

SEE MORE: Emil Persson on the tactics

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Emil Persson on the tactics

The champion begins his season

Last year's Ski Classics winner, Andreas Nygaard, missed last weekend's competitions due to illness, but the Norwegian is ready to start now.

- I am very much looking forward to competing.

Now I've been down here for three weeks, so you get a little restless just being in the hotel room and training.

So it will be fun to compete.

Nygaard predicts a tough race.

- I think it will be a brutal start, almost like walking three miles in the Norwegian or Scandinavian Cup.

It's a lap track that just goes up and down the whole way.

So I think it will be a tough race, says Nygaard to SVT Sport.

SVT broadcasts Saturday's race starting at 8 a.m. in SVT2/Play.