December 16, 2011 (Rogla, Slovenia) – Current Overall World Cup standing leader Marit Bjoergen has decided not to start this weekend in Rogla, Slovenia, and has left for home in Norway.

Marit Bjoergen has been coping with a cold and sore throat. Therefore the current overall World Cup standing leader decided to withdraw from tomorrow’s 10 km Classic Mass Start in Rogla.

“I chose to go home and not start in Rogla, to not take any chances, since there is so little time before the Tour de Ski,” Marit Bjoergen said to NTB via press attaché Rolf Nereng. She leaves Rogla on Friday.

National team coach Roar Helmeset pointed out to a television station that Bjoergen is not seriously ill, but that it could get worse if she started this weekend. “Marit has been feeling a little tight in the throat and chest. With such a short time before the Tour de Ski, we will not take any chances with her,” Hjelmeset said to TV 2.

FIS Tour de Ski kicks off on the 29th of December and it will be the season’s main goal for the skier from Rognes, Norway.