Norway’s Sturla Holm Laegreid, surprise winner of the season-opening men’s 20 km individual last season in Kontiolahti came into today’s 20 km in Oestersund as a favorite and repeated. Laegreid taking the lead after the first standing stage, shot clean, as he did last year; this time cruising to a comfortable 51:04 victory, repeating his 2020 feat. His teammate Tarjei Boe with two penalties, finished second, 59.2 seconds back. France’s Simon Desthieux, also with two penalties, finished a very close third, 1:00.6 back.