When Sweden’s longest roller ski race, the Klarälvsloppet, started, it was a Norwegian-Swedish showdown on the men’s side.
Norwegian Petter Stakston and Swede Max Novak were part of the breakaway group that controlled the lead right from the start.
When the decision came, the riders, who ride for the same team, chose a different tactic. They talked to each other, crossed the finish line hand in hand and shared the victory with a time of 3.17.33.
– It was a little goosebumps when we realized that we could do what we want at the finish line, says Max Novak to SVT Sport.
The inspiration was both the brothers Blomquist and the sisters Öyre Slind, who shared the victory in the Vasaloppet and Toppidrettsweek respectively.
– I was very happy with it. I was in so much pain everywhere, so I don’t think a last sprint would have gone that well for me, says Stakston.
