2026 Olympic Men's 10km + 10km Skiathlon Prediction & Preview
Updated July 9, 2026
The Men’s 10km + 10km Skiathlon at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina is a grueling race where the competitors will have to deal with uphill climbs and a ton of distance to cover. With several elite athletes in fine form this season, this event rewards versatility and tactical intelligence, as competitors must transition from classic to freestyle technique across two demanding 10km legs. Before this race begins, continue reading to get my Olympic men's skiathlon prediction from Italy.
The following list reflects the most current odds available ahead of the event for the gold medal winner in the Men’s Skiathlon at Milano Cortina 2026.
One of the biggest storylines emerging around the Men’s Skiathlon this year is the overwhelming expectation that Norway will dominate. With several top contenders in excellent form on the World Cup circuit, Norway is favored to sweep the podium in this race. Johannes Høsflot Klaebo stands out as the clear favorite. He has won major skiathlon races this season, including a World Cup skiathlon event in Val di Fiemme, Italy, where he claimed victory even after a demanding schedule.
Another important storyline is the absence of the Russian Olympic Committee athletes, who were strong competitors in previous games. Alexander Bolshunov, the defending Olympic champion in the 20km skiathlon from 2022, is not participating due to the ongoing ban on the Russian team. This absence significantly alters the competitive landscape and increases opportunities for other nations to challenge Norway’s skiers.
Italy’s Federico Pellegrino deserves attention as the top non-Norwegian contender according to the betting odds, though his chances remain long compared to the Scandinavian juggernauts. The home crowd factor could play a motivational role for Pellegrino, but his odds suggest that bookmakers view him as more of a fringe podium contender rather than a gold medal threat.
From a tactical perspective, this skiathlon course demands both classic proficiency and strong freestyle technique. Skiers must pace themselves in the first half and have the endurance to push in the final kilometers. The betting markets reflect this by favoring athletes known for consistency and strong finishes rather than pure sprinters.
Pick: Johannes Høsflot Klaebo ATS PRO
Confidence: 4 out of 5
Johannes Høsflot Klaebo enters the Men’s Skiathlon with the strongest combination of recent form, race experience, and support from his Norwegian teammates. His victory in a key World Cup skiathlon on the same terrain type gives him a form advantage over most of the field. Klaebo is one of the most proven performers in championship cross-country skiing and his odds reflect bookmakers’ confidence in his ability to deliver gold once again. I think we will see Norway sweep the three podium spots in this event, as Norway continues to be the gold standard in men's cross-country.
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.
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