Cross Country: Northug overtrained?

Norwegian cross country ace Petter Northug, who has had to drop the seaon openers, may be overtrained, according to sources quoted by Norwegian media.

Coordinator of the National Cross Country Team, Vidar Løfshus, says to the newspaper VG that Northug may have overtrained in the preparations for this season, and says he may even miss the World Championships on home turf, at Holmenkollen early next year.

Northug's personal assistant, Eirik Myhr Nossum, is not quite as pessisimstic, but is also of the opinion that a combination of illness and overtraining may be the cause of the set-back Northug has now suffered.

However, he says to Adresseavisen that he is sure Northug will be ready for Holmenkollen as long as he follows the correct procedures.

(NRK)