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Before his last Tour de Ski, Dario Cologna looks back on his overall successes to date.
The team leader of the Swiss team at the Tour de Ski is Dario Cologna for the last time this year. The 35-year-old from Graubünden will store his cross-country skis in the basement after this season – and leave a large gap at Swiss-Ski. Before its 14th attempt in this competition, Cologna can look back on its 4 overall victories (record).
2009: Started off as a youngster
The great opponent of Cologna was the then 30-year-old German Alex Teichmann. In the second stage, at the tender age of 22, Cologna took the lead in the overall classification and never gave it up. «That was something like my career breakthrough. I had no pressure there. Nobody believed me to win a tour. It was definitely a key moment for the rest of my career, ”recalls Cologna.
2011: Longer breath than Northug
As in 2009, Cologna set the course for success two years later in the 2nd stage in Oberhof. In the overall standings, he prevailed against his longstanding opponent Petter Northug (NOR). “I miss the duels with him,” says the four-time Olympic champion. «Of course, because I was at the top level back then. It’s more fun when you can run for victory. ”
2012: Tour de Cologna
Cologna’s performance in 2012 was like a show of power. With a lead of over a minute he triumphed and outclassed the competition. «I was at the height of my career. I was able to dominate the tour and I knew that nobody could snatch the win from me. I felt that and I like to remember it », says the native of Graubünden.
2018: an unexpected triumph
After several years of dry spell, Cologna made an impressive return in 2018. Right at the start of the tour, he ran in Lenzerheide to his first two World Cup victories on Swiss soil. Then he did his thing and took the 4th overall victory. “A lot of people didn’t expect me anymore. That made it one of the most beautiful tour successes. “
2021: A bang as Dernière?
Overall victory should be out of reach on his last tour. Cologna has other goals: “I hope that I can do well in the distance races and improve compared to the World Cup results.” The feeling is definitely right: “I was able to train well over Christmas.”