Prologvinner Klæbo dropper 15 km

Erik Valnes came closest to Klæbo. Between Klæbo and Valnes distinguished it not more than 11/100 of a second. Russian Aleksandr Bolsjunov was number three, while Pål Golberg stood for the fourth best time.

Each of the eight Norwegian runners placed among the top 20 and is ready for utslagsrundene later Saturday.

Paul Trøan Aune was number seven, while sprintlandslagsløperne Eirik Brandsdal and Sondre Turvoll Fossli ended at 10.- and 11.-space.

Sindre Bjørnestad Cut and Mattis Stenshagen were respectively number 15 and 20.

- There was a prologue which we are very happy with. Totally top. There were good performances by all, said sprintlandslagstrener Arild Monsen to the NTB.

Klæbo seems to have fared well through the break after the Tour de Ski.

I think it worked well. Although he believes that it was a part. He doesn't seem that it was completely raw, but it was good. He won the prologue, " said Monsen.

General manager could also tell that it is with one race for Klæbo in Otepää. There will be no 15 kilometres on him Sunday.

- It keeps one race this weekend, just two weeks after the Tour de Ski. Two races is too much, " said Monsen to NTB and VG.

Klæbo was forhåndskvalifisert to 15 km as the leader of the overall world cup.

Among the women had Maiken Caspersen Falla only Swedish Stina Nilsson in front of him in the prologue.

All seven Norwegian women are ready for utslagsrundene later Saturday. Falla was happy with his prologue.

(NTB)