January 16, 2011 (Liberec, Czech Republic) – Unlike the women’s team sprint the men’s 6×1.6km classic final was sea-saw battle between defending World Champs Johan Kjoelstad and Ola Vigen Hattestad from Norway I and Sweden I’s Jesper Modin and Mats Larsson, the top team following the men’s semi finals. It was on this same course in Liberec back in 2009 that Hattestad and Kjoelstad won team sprint classic gold.

Each heat featured exciting skiing and it was unclear until the final leg who would take the victory as Sweden boldly challenged the World champs in a duel that forced the Norwegians to the limit.

But Hattestad was up to the challenge in the end making the final day in Liberec one of Norwegian red adding to the women’s earlier victory, with Norway II consisting of John Kristian Dahl and Erik Brandsdal taking the bronze for good measure.

Sweden’s Modin signaled the challenge from the get-go jumping into the lead as Kjoelstad and Erik Brandsdal (Norway II) marked him closely. Then Kjoelstad took over but Modin was not finished as Russia moved into second coming to the first exchange.

Larsson took over with Hattestad in tow as heat two got underway with Dahl near the front as well. As every move was marked the chance to escape would not be easy as the leaders charged ahead with Italy’s Renato Pasini flexing some ski muscle as well. Coming to the next exchange Dahl grabbed the lead but was quickly challenged by Larsson as the group remained intact.

Again Modin cranked it up with team mate Robin Bryntesson (Sweden II) in second but Kjoelstad saw trouble and countered keeping them in check and then attacked himself. The Swedes bided their time and soon Modin saw another opportunity and was back in front. Behind France, Germany, Italy and Russia seemed content to let Norway and Sweden duke it out and expend their energy.

As round four began Larsson kept the pressure on the world champion Hattestad with Sweden II in third – less than three seconds separated the entire field. Up the climb Larsson was still in charge as Bryntesson passed Hattestad while Dahl found himself mid-field behind Russia and France. On the descent Hattestad moved up into second as Russia’s Alexander Panzhinsky also gained some ground. As the next exchange approached it was Sweden I, Russia I, Sweden II and Norway I.

The Swedes looked sharp as the penultimate leg unfolded with Modin, an imposing skier at 6’6″, pressing the field to match his stride with Russia’s Andrey Parfenov in second and Kjoelstad now in third. Up the first climb Modin was followed by Kjoelstad now in second as the pace picked up. Over the next climb and down the descent Norway’s Kjoelstad made his move taking over the lead with Brandsdal attacking as well – coming into the exchange it was Norway I and II followed by Modin and Bryntesson.

Hattestad and Dahl took off as Larsson quickly joined them and quickly threw down the gauntlet up the first climb jumping into the lead. Cresting the hill only Hattestad could match him as the two opened a gap on Dahl and Calle Halfvarsson from Sweden II. Larsson continued to lead and his pace shattered the field, but the world champion would not yield and continued to close the gap on the Swede.

Up the final climb and down the chute leading to the finishing straight Hattestad came along side Larsson and took over the lead as they came around the final corner. Behind Dahl broke clear of Halfvarsson to sit third.

With 100m to go Hattestad was untouchable double poling his way to a decisive victory as he looked over his shoulder at Larsson knowing he had the clear victory with team mate Dahl claiming third.

For the World Champions it was a sweet victory. “I tried to get a gap to the others on my last lap,” Kjoelstad told FIS XC, “But I couldn’t get away – the Swedes were always behind. Ola did a great job on the last round and took the victory home for us. It is nice to come back to Liberec where we both have won together in 2009. I have to be strong next week to qualify for the World Championships in Oslo.”

For Larsson it was a good day at the office as he explained his strategy. “It was a good day for me. The first round was quite easy, in the second round I tried to force the speed a bit and then on my last lap I attacked on the first uphill to get a good gap to the others.

“It worked out but on the last uphill I was very tired when Ola closed the gap. He was super strong. I chose this tactic because I knew that I would not be able to follow Ola on the last uphill – so I decided to attack early at the start of the lap.”

The stage is now set for Oslo as the Swedes will have another chance to dethrone their Norwegian counterparts. But for now it’s all Norway as they painted Liberec red once again.

Full results HERE.
Full results detail HERE.