When the Tour de Ski kicks off on Saturday, December 28, it’s set to culminate in a nail-biting duel in the men’s between two champions on the Final Climb on Sunday, January 5. But what about the other podium spots, the sprint competition, and the new climbing competition?

Based on this year’s competition setup, previous Tour de Ski performances, results, and trends from the opening World Cup period, Langrenn.com presents the top contenders and dark horses for the Men’s Tour de Ski.

Read more: Who will win the Tour de Ski?

Format and Concept

The Tour de Ski aims to crown the world’s best cross-country skier through a series of races that include all competition formats. This year’s event consists of seven stages over nine days:

• Skate Sprint
• Classic Sprint
• 15 km Classic Mass Start
• 20 km Free Individual Start
• 15 km Classic Pursuit
• 20 km Skiathlon
• 10 km Free Mass Start on Alpe Cermis (Monster Hill)

Favourites for Overall Victory

1. Harald Østberg Amundsen (Norway)
   • Current World Cup leader with 688 points.
   • Defending Tour de Ski champion.
   • Excels in all formats and is a strong contender for the upcoming World Championships.
2. Johannes Høsflot Klæbo (Norway)
   • Three-time Tour de Ski champion (last won in 2023).
   • Missed last year’s event due to illness but remains a formidable opponent.
3. Mika Vermeulen (Austria) & Hugo Lapalus (France)
   • Both have shown significant improvement in sprint and distance events this season.

Climbing Competition

A new feature this year, the climbing competition awards points on all distance stages. The leader dons a dedicated climbing jersey and receives perks like starting at the front in mass starts and additional prize money.

Favorites:

• Hugo Lapalus (France)
• Friedrich Moch (Germany)
• Mika Vermeulen (Austria)

Sprint Competition

Favorite:

• Johannes Høsflot Klæbo (Norway)

Dark Horses:

• Lucas Chanavat (France)
• Erik Valnes (Norway)
• Edvin Anger (Sweden)
• Ben Ogden (USA)

Tour de Ski 2025 Facts

• 19th Edition
• Seven Stages in Nine Days (all in Italy)
• Dates: December 28, 2024 – January 5, 2025
• Winner’s Prize: 300 World Cup points, up to 680 points with stage and prologue wins.

Here is the Prize Money for the Tour de Ski Season 2024/2025

The grand total of prize money paid out during Tour de Ski 2024/2025 is CHF 770,000 (about €821,000).

Read more: Tour de Ski: Prize money for the 2024/2025 edition

FACTS Tour de Ski Season 2024/2025

• When: Saturday, December 28, 2024, to Sunday, January 5, 2025 
• Who: Elite national skiers – women and men
• Where: Toblach and Val Di Fiemme, Italy
• What: Tour de Ski, Italy

PROGRAM

Saturday, December 28, 2024: Sprint F – Toblach-ITA (More information can be found HERE)

• 12:00 CET: Sprint Quali F, Men
• 12:00 CET: Sprint Quali F, Women
• 14:30 CET: Sprint Final F, Men
• 14:30 CET: Sprint Final F, Women

Sunday, December 29, 2024: 15km Mass Start C – Toblach-ITA (More information can be found HERE)

• 12:30 CET: 15km Mass Start C, Women
• 14:45 CET: 15km Mass Start C, Men 

Tuesday, December 31, 2024: 20km Interval Start F – Toblach-ITA (More information can be foundHERE)

• 11:30 CET: 20km Interval Start F, Men
• 14:45 CET: 20km Interval Start F, Women

Wednesday, January 1, 2025: 15km Pursuit C – Toblach-ITA (More information can be found HERE)

• 10:30 CET: 15km Pursuit C, Men
• 12:30 CET: 15km Pursuit C, Women

Friday, January 3, 2025: Sprint C – Val Di Fiemme-ITA (More information can be found HERE)

• 12:15 CET: Sprint Quali C, Men
• 12:15 CET: Sprint Quali C, Women
• 14:45 CET: Sprint Final C, Men
• 14:45 CET: Sprint Final C, Women

Saturday, January 4, 2025: 20km Skiathlon C/F – Val Di Fiemme-ITA (More information can be found HERE)

• 11:00 CET: 20km Skiathlon C/F, Men
• 15:30 CET: 20km Skiathlon C/F, Women

Sunday, January 5, 2025: 10km Mass Start F – Final Climb – Val Di Fiemme-ITA (More information can be found HERE)

• 14:15 CET: 10km Mass Start F, Men
• 15:30 CET: 10km Mass Start F, Women

Are you interested in traditional cross-country skiing? Click HERE and read more about it.