2026 Olympic Men's 10km Interval Start Free Prediction & Preview
Updated February 12, 2026
Updated February 12, 2026
The men’s 10km interval start free cross-country skiing event at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina is one that is expected to be dominated by Norway. Norwegian athletes have shown impressive form, and several contenders from France and the United States also warrant attention going into this event. Before the action begins, you will find my Olympic men's 10km interval start free prediction.
The following list shows the current reported odds for the 10 km interval start free race at the 2026 Olympic Games, reflecting how betting markets see the field as the race approaches:
One of the dominant narratives leading into this race is Norway’s continued strength in men’s cross-country skiing. The Scandinavian powerhouse has placed multiple skiers among the top favorites here, with Einar Hedegart and Johannes H. Klaebo leading the charge. Hedegart’s placement as the favorite highlights his consistency and recent strong form in distance races on the World Cup circuit. Klaebo, already a multiple Olympic gold medalist this week in other events, is chasing his first 10 km free individual gold, giving this race personal and historical significance for him.
Klaebo’s performance earlier in these Games – including victories in other cross-country disciplines – suggests he’s in peak condition and ready to challenge for any distance. The fact that he has spent years refining his racing strategy and speed on the international stage makes him a compelling name, even if his betting odds are longer than Hedegart’s. Norway’s depth doesn’t stop there. Harald Oestberg Amundsen and Martin Loewstroem Nyenget both bring strong World Cup credentials and could very easily be in medal contention if conditions favor their strengths.
France’s Mathis Desloges and Hugo Lapalus are dark horse picks based on their World Cup results and endurance capabilities over interval start formats. Neither has quite matched the Norwegians for consistency, but odds like theirs can be tempting for bettors. Meanwhile, Gus Schumacher has been vocal about his ambitions this season and possesses the raw talent to surprise if he finds his best rhythm. His finishing position in distance races earlier in the season puts him on the radar as a potential top-10 finisher, though a medal would require a significant leap over his typical results.
Einar Hedegart (NOR): Hedegart’s strong recent results and position as betting favorite reflect his ability to maintain an aggressive pace in interval start events. He has shown solid skiing technique and aerobic capacity throughout the season, and on a course like Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium, his pacing strategy could pay dividends.
Johannes H. Klaebo (NOR): Known for blistering speed and tactical racing, Klaebo enters this event with excellent momentum. While the 10 km free gold has eluded him in the past, his overall strength in similar distances and his success this week mean he deserves respect from bettors, particularly those looking for slightly longer odds than the favorite.
Harald Oestberg Amundsen (NOR): As part of Norway’s deep roster, Amundsen has the consistency needed to break into the top three. If his skiing rhythm is strong on race day and conditions suit his style, he could match or exceed his World Cup placings in recent interval start competitions.
Martin Loewstroem Nyenget (NOR): Nyenget has multiple wins in 10 km racing formats in domestic and international competitions. His potential podium threat is clear, though he may lack the finish kick of Hedegart and Klaebo. Still, he is worth consideration for an underdog position on the podium.
Pick: Johannes Klaebo (NOR) ATS PRO
Confidence: 4/5
Johannes H. Klaebo’s name cannot be overlooked, given his Olympic success and undeniable talent. He is not the favorite to win this race, but he is certainly in contention to outperform his countrymen to bring home yet another gold medal. I think his value is great here, as Klaebo is skiing so well coming into this event.
Jay Sanin is the GM and Head of Sports at ATS.io. He has been writing about sports gambling since 2013, handicapping tens of thousands of sporting events. He plays sides and totals aggressively across most sports and is more selective in player prop markets. He does his own modeling across most sports, and his family is jealous of how much time he spends on his precious spreadsheets.
Affiliate Disclosure
ATS.io uses affiliate links. If you sign up through a link on this page, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Rankings are based on hands-on testing and published criteria, and affiliate relationships do not determine placement.
