New Star Withdraws from Tour de Ski

Livo Niskanen is sick and withdrawing from the Tour de Ski for the second year in a row - Eurosport. The Finnish cross-country star Iivo Niskanen is struggling with illness and will not start in the Tour de Ski. Niskanen announced this via his Instagram on Friday.

"First, I had to cancel Christmas, and now the Tour de Ski. We'll see about next year," he wrote.

He is not the only one who has had to withdraw from this year's Tour de Ski. Norwegian Matz William Jenssen is also struggling with illness, along with veteran Swedish athlete Calle Halfvarsson who is dealing with back issues.

Niskanen had a strong start to the season, winning the World Cup opening event at home in Ruka. However, he experienced some weaker results thereafter, before bouncing back with a strong second place in the 20-kilometer event in Davos.

Niskanen also had to withdraw from the Tour de Ski last year due to illness.

(©NTB)