June 26, 2010 (Norway) – As a mid-June treat for news-starved FIS World Cup fans, the first stage of the Tour de Trøndelag in Norway went off well on Friday. Many of the top World Cup ski racers were invited by Norwegian star, Peter Northug, himself to test their mettle on his home turf in the three-day event which commenced with a Stage 1 rollerski criterium on Friday.

It was a tough race, with the slowest racer from each lap being eliminated according to langrenn.com. Fellow Norwegian Eldar Rønning took the win over Northug, with John Bjørgård completing the podium in 3rd. “It’s always fun to beat Peter. I did it once before during the winter at the Tour de Ski.  He’s a good yardstick,” Rønning told Langrenn.

Unfortunately Saturday’s on-snow Stage 2 event, at Kirkebyfjellet mountain, had to be postponed due to inclement weather. The race, which had to overcome complications surrounding legal land issues and concerns that it might interrupt reindeer migrations, was shelved at the last minute. According to race organizer Hans Joergen Renaa to proceed with the race would have been irresponsible.

Fans had to wait till Saturday afternoon’s final leg, a 15km rollerski race, for the outcome. Northug pushed out of the start hard, setting a relentless pace and clocking in at 28:55.0 for the win. Less than a second separated 2nd placed Alexander Legkov, RUS and Daniel M. Helgeland in 6th place. Third was Hans Petter Lykkja (NOR), 4th was Anders Soedergren (SWE) and 5th went to Niklas Dyrhaug (NOR).

Read more here and here.