Ida Dahl missed this weekend's race in Ski Classics due to illness.

The 27-year-old overall leader had been affected by covid-19.

- Because I had a fever, it took quite a toll on my body.

You have slept a lot, she tells SVT Sport.

Now Dahl is healthy again, and she did her first training sessions after the illness on Tuesday and Wednesday.

- It has been a nightmare week for the whole team.

It is not just Ida, but many leaders and riders who have been bedridden.

Ida is on her feet and in training, says Jerry Ahrlin, team leader for Engcon.

Several affected

Ahrlin continues:

- We have split it up as best we could.

We have run team meetings and we have not met each other unnecessarily.

But somehow it has gotten in and then this crap has arisen, he says.

How many have been affected?

- Three have gone home.

Then there are some who have shown positive tests, but have not really experienced any symptoms.

Hoping to go this weekend

On Sunday, the next competition in the Ski Classics awaits, when the long race Marcialonga takes place.

It is one of four races that together form the Grand Classics.

Ida Dahl is hopeful of being able to go this weekend.

- I would still say that I feel quite well.

But you get quite tough and tired afterwards, she says and continues:

- You have to make the best of the situation.

You get to see how the body reacts, you will notice that quite quickly.

The plan is absolutely to get to the start.

Have you lowered your expectations because of the illness?

- As soon as you enter a competition, you always aim to win, but you really shouldn't have a chance when you're lying in bed with a fever.

We'll see.

Hope is the last thing that abandons you, says Dahl and laughs.

Ida Dahl tops the Ski Classics total, 80 points ahead of Norwegian Emilie Fleten.

CLIP: Ida Dahl's suite broken (January 15, 2023)

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Ida Dahl about the race and that the suite is broken