Ahead of Cykelvasan 90, 2023 – the premiere of the first uphill climb!

Cykelvasan had its debut in 2009, coinciding with the start of Vasaloppet’s Summer Week, and over 182 000 cyclists to date have crossed the finish line under the iconic portal in Mora. 44 participants have taken part in all editions of Cykelvasan. Similar to Vasaloppet, both elite and recreational cyclists participate in Cykelvasan.

Cykelvasan 2023 consists of several different races, all concluding in Mora:
Friday, August 11: Ungdomscykelvasan, 32 km, starting in Oxberg at 08:00 (competition)
Friday, August 11: Cykelvasan Öppet Spår, 96 km, starting in Sälen at 08:00 (recreational race)
Friday, August 11: Cykelvasan 30, 32 km, starting in Oxberg at 14:00 (recreational race)
Friday, August 11: Cykelvasan 45, 45 km, starting in Oxberg at 15:30 (recreational race)
Saturday, August 12: Cykelvasan 90, 96 km, starting in Sälen at 07:30/08:15/08:30 (competition/recreational classes)

To kick things off, Cykelvasasprinten 2023 will be held on Thursday, August 10, at 16:00 – an exhibition race between the Nordic countries. Come to Valleberget and witness the battle for the first prize of 20,000 SEK. The kilometre-long track runs in the lower part of Lindvallen’s ski slopes, and  the team that completes the most laps in 30 minutes wins.

In addition, there are events for children aged 3–10:
Barnens Vasalopp Bike in Sälen on Friday, August 11, at 16:00 at Experium in Lindvallen.
Barnens Vasalopp Bike in Mora on Saturday, August 12, at 09:00, running from Mora Ishall to the Vasaloppet finish.

Vasaloppet’s Summer Week continues on August 18–19, with individual running races: Trailvasan 10, Trailvasan 30, Ultravasan 45, Ultravasan 90, as well as the running relay Vasastafetten. Also featuring the children’s event Barnens Vasalopp running.

Hemmavasan cykel 2023
Hemmavasan is a complement to Vasaloppet’s Summer Week 2023. During the same period as the regular events are held between Sälen and Mora, from Friday, August 11 to Saturday, August 19, you can participate in recreational cycling and running races at a location of your choice in Sweden – or around the world – via the digital Vasaloppet Arena.
Hemmavasan cykel >

Counties and nations 2023
All counties in Sweden have registered participants in Cykelvasan 2023. The highest number of participants come from Stockholm, Västra Götaland, Dalarna, Uppsala and Skåne.

Cykelvasan’s various 2023 races have participants from 34 different nations, including Sweden. The largest nations (aside from Sweden) are Norway, Denmark, Finland, The Netherlands, Germany, and the United Kingdom. (County and nation statistics as of Tuesday, August 8, 2023.)

CYKELVASAN 90 SATURDAY, AUGUST 12, 2023
Cykelvasan 90 starts at the Vasaloppet start in Sälen and the race passes all the classic Vasaloppet checkpoints. A total of 96 kilometres on forest roads and decked trails over marshlands, through bright pine forests, past summer farms and pastures, heading towards the finish portal in Mora. The elite women’s race starts at 07:30, and the elite men’s race starts at 08:15, with recreational participants setting off in start groups every five minutes from 08:30.

Start list 2023
Start list >

Approximately 60 participants have registered in the women’s competition class, while the mens’ competition class has about 300. (In total, for all Cykelvasan races in 2023, so far, 13,000 participants have registered. Registration is possible right up until the start.)

Registration >

Start numbers for elite women: 1–100 (green bibs)
Start numbers for elite men: 1–200 (blue bibs)
(The top ten women from 2022 and the top ten men from 2022 have start numbers in 2023 corresponding to their 2022 placements.)

Results and app
Results >

Follow participants in the Vasaloppet app >

The Elite – Who will win? Will there be new champions this year?
Emil Lindgren delivered a heroic performance when he won Cykelvasan 2022, his second victory in the race. Emil took the first five sprint prizes before being caught up with, but he broke away again and secured victory in a duel on the home stretch against Viktor Henrysson. Can Emil ”Mr. Cykelvasan” Lindgren become the first male cyclist to win three Cykelvasan titles?

Matthias Wengelin had a knee injury last year but has shown good form again this year. Matthias, who won the very first Cykelvasan in 2009, has already secured victory in Långloppscupen 2023, even with one competition (Bockstensturen) still remaining.

Will Emil or Matthias win again, or will we see a new champion in 2023? There are plenty of challengers, including:

This year’s Swedish XCO champion André Eriksson. (The Swedish XCM Championship runs in conjunction with Bockstensturen on September 2nd.)

Erik Åkesson and Richard Larsén participated in the XCM World Championships on August 6 this past Sunday, ranking 46th and 48th respectively.

From Norway, Kristian Klevgård, the 2021 winner, is returning. Other strong Norwegians include last year’s third-place finisher in Cykelvasan, Martin Røste Omdahl, and Tormod Weydahl, who won bronze in the Norwegian XCM Championships in 2022, along with Eskil Evensen-Lie and Vidar Mehl.

From Denmark: Jonas Lindberg, national champion XCM in 2022. Bjørn Andreassen, world champion in e-cycling in 2023, and Karl-erik Rosendahl, 6th in the Danish Championships in XCO in 2023.

Ladies
Last year in Cykelvasan, there was a sprint finish in the women’s class with four cyclists on the home stretch.

Can last year’s fourth-place finisher, Terese Andersson, now in the lead of Långloppscupen, take revenge this year? Amanda Bohlin is in second place of Långloppscupen and Erica Zetterlund is third. Fourth-place Tilda Hylén was second in the XCO Swedish Championships and won Engelbrektsturen, both at the end of July.

Terese Andersson also had a strong performance in the XCM World Championships in Scotland this past weekend, ranking 11th. The XCO Swedish Champion, Linn Gustafzzon, will be participating in the XCO World Championships on the day that Cykelvasan runs…

Elisabeth Sveum from Norway, the winner of Cykelvasan in 2019, will return this year. As are Hildegunn Gjertrud Hovdenak, who has two victories (2014 and 2018) and four second-place finishes in Cykelvasan.

From Denmark, Viktoria Smidth-Knudsen brings several medals from the Danish Championships, and Klara Sofie Skovgård Hansen, third in the Danish Championships in XCM in 2022, is also registered.

New course section in 2023
The course after the start in Sälen is changed and participants in Cykelvasan Öppet Spår and Cykelvasan 90 have to climb the classic first hill and pass the highest point in the Vasaloppet Arena, 528 meters above sea level. Just like the skiers do in winter.
”The first hill is, along with the start, final stretch and finish portal, a classic Vasaloppet landmark. There has been a desire from us and participants to make this development happen, and it feels great to be able to present it for this year’s edition of Vasaloppet’s Summer Week,” says Tommy Höglund, Sport Manager at Vasaloppet.

When Cykelvasan started in 2009, approximately 40 km of the route was on asphalt roads. Over the years, the course has gradually moved into the Vasaloppet Arena, decreasing the asphalt and enhancing the nature experience.

”The start of both the cycling and running races will now have a new character, one that will bring a fun challenge to all participants. Similar to our winter races, the challenge and experience will vary for each participant depending on their ambition,” says Tommy Höglund.

For cyclists, this will also lead to safer cycling in the first part of the course, as the speed will be limited when the cycling becomes more technical.

Cykelvasan 90 and Cykelvasan Öppet Spår use what’s called a masterstart. This means that a quad leads participants out at a limited speed for about 1 km, from the start point until the road crossing before the first hill. During that stretch, all cyclists must keep their position in the queue and not pass the quad.

As early as Thursday, August 10, at 11.00–13.00, cyclists will have an opportunity to try out the new section during an on-location event.

Kranskulla and Kransmas in Cykelvasan 2023
This year’s Kranskulla is Alice Larsson from Sälens IF (Kranskulla no. 99) and Joakim Kullberg (Kransmas no. 30) will step in for Albin Gezelius (Kransmas no. 35) for Cykelvasan this year.

Award Ceremony
Sprint prizes (3,000 SEK) are awarded to the first cyclist in the women’s and men’s classes to pass the highest point of Vasaloppet, after the first uphill slope, as well as the checkpoints in Smågan, Mångsbodarna, Risberg, Oxberg, Hökberg, and Eldris. A hill prize (5,000 SEK) is awarded to the first woman and man to reach Evertsberg. To receive the sprint and mountain prizes, participants must complete the race. Garlands to the winners and placement medals to the top three. Training scholarships to the top ten women and top ten men in the competition class. The 2023 first prize in both the women’s and men’s classes is 40,000 SEK. The total prize sum is 288,000 SEK. The award ceremony takes place in the finish area in Mora at 13:00. (Flower ceremony at 11:05)

Sveriges Television live broadcasting Cykelvasan 90
Saturday, August 12 at 07:25–11:30 on SVT1 and SVT Play. Commentator: Björn Becksmo. Expert: Andreas Danielsson. The programme broadcasts in HD. Can only be viewed in Sweden.
svtplay.se/cykelvasan-1 >

Live broadcast in Denmark
Saturday, August 12 at 07:25–11.15 on Sport Live.
Commentator: Mads Knudsen and previous Danish national team cyclist Ann-Dorthe Lisbygd.
sport-live.dk/programoversigt >

Live broadcast in Norway
Saturday, August 12 at 07:25–11:15 on Amedia.
Commentator: Eirik Thorgersen.
amedia.no/tjenester/direktesport >

Vasaloppet.TV broadcasts all races
Vasaloppet’s own streaming service also broadcasts from Cykelvasan 2023 as follows:
vasaloppet.tv/tv-tabla-eng >

View the full activity programme for Vasaloppet’s Summer Week 2023
Over 50 exciting activities >

Follow Vasaloppet every day, all year round
Facebook facebook.com/vasaloppetofficial >
Instagram instagram.com/vasaloppet >

HISTORIC FACTS
Results 2022
Cykelvasan 90 Elit, 94 km Sälen-Mora, women, 2022-08-13
1 Sandra Salinger, (SWE) Mix Sports Club, 3.04.00
2 Hildegunn Gjertrud Hovdenak, (NOR) Splint IL, 3.04.00
3 Nellie Larsson, (SWE) Bukten MTB, 3.04.01
4 Terese Andersson, (SWE) Serneke Allebike CK, 3.04.01
5 Clara Lundmark, (SWE) Norbergs CK, 3.07.49
6 Jennie Stenerhag, (SWE) Falu CK/Åbro, 3.12.39
7 Ebba Granqvist, (SWE) ML Sports Club, 3.12.41
8 Petra Kjellberg, (SWE) Falkenbergs CK, 3.16.04
9 Anne Helene Reiten, (NOR) Trollheimen SK, 3.16.06
10 Erica Zetterlund, (SWE) Hjo Velocipedklubb, 3.16.09

Cykelvasan 90 Elit, 94 km Sälen-Mora, men, 2022-08-13
1 Emil Lindgren, (SWE) Serneke Allebike CK, 2.43.00
2 Viktor Henrysson, (SWE) Träningskonsulten SC, 2.43.04
3 Martin Røste Omdahl, (NOR) Team Hunton Hard Rocx, 2.44.57
4 Viktor Lindqvist, (SWE) Kolmården Mtb, 2.44.57
5 Jesper Dahlström, (SWE) Bauhaus Sportklubb, 2.44.58
6 Eric Pedersen, (SWE) UC Monaco, 2.44.58
7 David Risberg, (SWE) ML Sports Club, 2.44.58
8 Axel Lindh, (SWE) Team Ormsalva AC, 2.44.58
9 Richard Larsén, (SWE) Serneke Allebike CK, 2.44.58
10 André Eriksson, (SWE) Varberg Mountainbike Team, 2.44.58

Footnote: The 2022 hill prizes in Evertsberg were won by Terese Andersson with a time of 1.41.09 and Emil Lindgren 1.29.21.

All Cykelvasan winners 2009–2022, women
2009 Hanna Bergman, Falu CK, 3.09.05
2010 Emmy Thelberg, Härnösands CK, 2.54.53
2011 Pia Sundstedt, Finland, 2.56.19
2012 Jennie Stenerhag, Falu CK, 3.02.06
2013 Alexandra Engen, GHOST Factory RT/Jönköpings CK, 2.55.37
2014 Hildegunn Gjertrud Hovdenak, Norway, 2.53.44 (Record time!)
2015 Jennie Stenerhag, Falu CK, 2.57.22
2016 Jennie Stenerhag, Falu CK, 3.07.49
2017 Jennie Stenerhag, Falu CK, 3.05.26
2018 Hildegunn Gjertrud Hovdenak, Norway, 3.04.39
2019 Elisabeth Sveum, Norway, 3.08.41
2020 Cykelvasan was part of Hemmavasan. No winner was crowned.
2021 Jennie Stenerhag, Falu CK/Åbro, 3.11.23
2022 Sandra Salinger, Mix Sports Club, 3.04.00

All Cykelvasan winners 2009–2022, men
2009 Matthias Wengelin, Cykloteket RT, 2.43.27
2010 Magnus Darvell, Team Kalas/Pedalogerna, 2.39.00 (Record time!)
2011 Jesper Dahlström, Motala AIF Cykelklubb, 2.47.32
2012 Jesper Dahlström, Team Cykelcity, 2.47.20
2013 Fredrik Ericsson, CK Cykelcity.se, 2.43.01
2014 Johan Landström, Motala AIF/SCOTT 2.45.59
2015 Alexander Wetterhall, Team Tre Berg – BIANCHI, 2.44.35
2016 Lucas Eriksson, Serneke Allebike CK, 2.40.04
2017 Jonas Ahlstrand, Team ORMSALVA, 2.41.26
2018 Michael Olsson, Team Serneke Allebike, 2.40.16
2019 Emil Lindgren, Serneke Allebike MTB TEAM, 2.48.41
2020 Cykelvasan was part of Hemmavasan. No winner was crowned.
2021 Kristian Klevgård, IK Hero, Norway, 2.45.29
2022 Emil Lindgren, Serneke Allebike CK, 2.43.00

Most wins and top 3 placements
19 cyclists have taken home the 26 Cykelvasan victories since the start in 2009. Jennie Stenerhag has won five times, Hildegunn Gjertrud Hovdenak twice, Jesper Dahlström twice and Emil Lindgren twice.

The men’s class only saw Swedish victories up until 2021 when Norwegian Kristian Klevgård won. In the women’s class there have been four foreign wins (Norwegian and Finnish).

Jennie Stenerhag has been in the top 3 eight times; as for the men, Emil Lindgren has seven top 3 spots.

Emil Lindgren can brag that he’s been in the top 10 more than anyone: eleven times, to be exact! Matthias Wengelin has been in the top 10 nine times. On the women’s side, Jennie Stenerhag has been in the top 10 ten times and Hanna Bergman, Hildegunn Gjertrud Hovdenak and Nellie Larsson have managed eight times each.

FACTS
All top ten placements in the Cykelvasan 90 2009–2022 (PDF) >

FACTS
The history of Cykelvasan and Vasaloppet’s Summer Week >

FACTS Cykelvasan’s development year by year
2009: The first ever Cykelvasan 30, Cykelvasan 45 and Cykelvasan 90. The terms ”Vasaloppet Winter Week” and ”Vasaloppet Summer Week” are coined. With near 2,000 participants, Cykelvasan immediately becomes Sweden’s biggest mountain bike race.
2010: Cykelvasasprinten ran for the first time in Lindvallen. Barnens Vasalopp on bike (originally called Barnens Cykelvasa) for young children has also been arranged since 2010.
2011: The start in Sälen moves from Tjärnhedens IP to the Vasaloppet start in Berga by.
2012: Ungdomscykelvasan starts, a competition for youths aged 11–16 (run on the same course as Cykelvasan 30).
2015: Cykelvasan Öppet Spår is introduced, based on the winter version of Öppet Spår.
2016: First time the women’s class start in Cykelvasan 90 takes place before the men’s class start (previously there was a joint start).
2017: First year the race runs completely off roads with traffic.
2018: Cykelvasan’s races are distributed across three different days.
2020: Cykelvasan was part of Hemmavasan due to the pandemic.
2021: Cykelvasan 90 Elit ran while others could complete Hemmavasan Cykel.
2022: Recreational athletes back again. SVT live broadcast for the first time.
2023: The shorter races moved to Friday. New route at the start: the first uphill slope is now included, just like in winter.

2024
Registration for Cykelvasan 2024 and Vasaloppet’s Summer Week 2024 opens as early as Thursday, August 10, 2023 at 09:00 on Vasaloppet’s website www.vasaloppet.se