It's just as well to clarify straight away: no, Petter Northug is not looking for a place in the Norwegian World Cup team in cross-country skiing.
But today he showed that he hasn't forgotten how to move at high speed on a pair of skis when he won the classic long-distance race (42 kilometers) between Toblach and Cortina that has been run since 1977.
After the finish, he joked that his success has probably created a headache for the Norwegian national team coach Eirik Myhr Nossum, who will soon present the World Cup squad that will defend the Norwegian colors in Slovenian Planica between February 21 and March 5.
"Creating trouble for the national team coach Eirik Myhr Nossum before the selection for the WC in Planica by delivering in Toblach", Northug writes on Instagram.
The race between Toblach and Cortina is not included in Ski Classics.
Björn Sandström, who won a surprising SM gold in the 15 kilometer freestyle last Wednesday, finished third, barely a second behind Northug.
Sandström was in Toblach to compete in the World Cup, but after yesterday's 64th place in the 10 kilometer freestyle, there was no place in the Swedish relay team.