New sprint competition introduced for Cykelvasan 90 in 2026

When four Nordic countries broadcast Cykelvasan 90 live on Saturday, August 8, both elite cyclists and TV audiences will be introduced to a brand-new sprint competition. In other words, there will now be a “race within the race”.

The prize for the first cyclist to reach the highest point of the course will remain but the Hill Prize in Evertsberg and the six individual sprint prizes at the Vasaloppet checkpoints in Cykelvasan 90 will be removed. A new points-based sprint competition will instead be introduced, with points awarded at all seven Vasaloppet checkpoints. The cyclist with the highest total score will win a cash prize and the 2026 Cykelvasan sprint vest.
“Traditionally, cycling stage races often have a points-based sprint competition. It creates a race within the race and incentivizes cyclists to think tactically. It always adds an extra dimension for both the competitors and the TV audience,” says Daniel Mäkinen, Events Director at Vasaloppet.

Since the inaugural Cykelvasan in 2009, the race has featured a Hill Prize for both women and men in Evertsberg, halfway through the course – just like in the winter Vasaloppet. In the men's race, the Hill Prize winner has gone on to win Cykelvasan 90 twice out of 16 races; in the women's race it has happened eight times out of 16. In addition to the Hill Prize, there have been sprint prizes at the six regular Vasaloppet checkpoints and, in recent years, at the top of the first climb.
“We are keeping the prize at the highest point and transforming the remaining sprint prizes from individual checkpoint winners into an overall podium based on cumulative results from all checkpoints. With this change, we hope to achieve the same effect seen in other cycling races, with more tactical racing and additional excitement,” says Daniel Mäkinen.

Facts/ Cykelvasan 90 Sprint Competition, 2026:
Instead of crowning a sprint winner at each checkpoint, cyclists will now collect points and an overall sprint results lists will be based on all seven checkpoints. The top five cyclists at each checkpoint will receive 10, 7, 5, 3 and 2 points, respectively. At Evertsberg, double points will be awarded: 20, 14, 10, 6 and 4 points. At the prize ceremony, the top three women and top three men in the sprint competition will receive prize money of 10,000 SEK, 7,000 SEK and 4,000 SEK respectively.

Sprint checkpoints in Cykelvasan 90:
Smågan 11 km
Mångsbodarna 26 km
Risberg 36 km
Evertsberg 49 km
Oxberg 64 km
Hökberg 74 km
Eldris 83 km
Total distance in 2026: 92 km.

Highest point sprint prize
From the start line in Berga by in Sälen, cyclists climb 178 metres over 3 kilometres to reach the highest point of the Vasaloppet course at 528 metres above sea level. The first woman and first man to reach the summit each receive 5,000 SEK.

Cykelvasan 90 winner's prizes
The winner of Cykelvasan 90 receives a laurel wreath, Vasaloppet's new victory trophy, a Dala horse, a gold medal and 40,000 SEK. Prize money is awarded to the top ten women and top ten men. The total combined prize sum for 2026, including the new sprint competition, amounts to 288,000 SEK.

Broadcast times Cykelvasan 90
The women's elite race starts at 08:00 and the men's elite race at 09:00. Cykelvasan 90 will be broadcast live in Sweden by Sveriges Television (SVT), in Finland by Ilta-Sanomat TV, in Denmark by Sport Live, and in Norway by Warner Bros. Discovery via HBO Max and Rex.

FACTS/ Evertsberg Hill Prizes
Below are all Hill Prize winners in Cykelvasan 90 history. (The figure in parentheses indicates the cyclist's final placing at the finish.)

Men
2009 – Lars Bleckur (SWE) 1.18.27 (14)
2010 – Magnus Darvell (SWE) 1.17.18 (1)
2011 – Magnus Darvell (SWE) 1.30.32 (39)
2012 – Emil Lindgren (SWE) 1.31.24 (3)
2013 – Calle Friberg (SWE) 1.28.10 (8)
2014 – Emil Lindgren (SWE) 1.31.28 (4)
2015 – Ludvig Bengtsson (SWE) 1.31.32 (29)
2016 – Emil Lindgren (SWE) 1.29.13 (5)
2017 – Emil Lindgren (SWE) 1.29.12 (3)
2018 – Emil Lindgren (SWE) 1.30.13 (3)
2019 – Viktor Junell (SWE) 1.33.25 (21)
2020 – No elite competition
2021 – Emil Lindgren (SWE) 1.33.04 (3)
2022 – Emil Lindgren (SWE) 1.29.23 (1)
2023 – Richard Larsén (SWE) 1.35.34 (67)
2024 – Emil Hasund Eid (NOR) 1.32.28 (2)
2025 – Eskil Evensen‑Lie (NOR) 1.28.48 (22)

Women
2009 – Hanna Bergman (SWE) 1.29.42 (1)
2010 – Alexandra Engen (SWE) 1.23.23 (2)
2011 – Pia Sundstedt (FIN) 1.33.52 (1)
2012 – Hanne Trönnes (NOR) 1.37.38 (3)
2013 – Alexandra Engen (SWE) 1.34.58 (1)
2014 – Jennie Stenerhag (SWE) 1.35.40 (2)
2015 – Jennie Stenerhag (SWE) 1.36.58 (1)
2016 – Jennie Stenerhag (SWE) 1.43.08 (1)
2017 – Jennie Stenerhag (SWE) 1.41.10 (1)
2018 – Linn Gustafzzon (SWE) 1.41.35 (15)
2019 – Jennie Stenerhag (SWE) 1.44.25 (3)
2020 – No elite competition
2021 – Jennie Stenerhag (SWE) 1.45.40 (1)
2022 – Terese Andersson (SWE) 1.41.09 (4)
2023 – Amanda Bohlin (SWE) 1.51.56 (1)
2024 – Lejla Njemcevic (BIH) 1.49.18 (2)
2025 – Lejla Njemcevic (BIH) 1.45.08 (2)

Upcoming events in the Vasaloppet Arena:

Vasaloppet's Summer Week 2026 – biking and running
Friday, August 7, Cykelvasan 30, start Oxberg, 32 km
Friday, August 7, Cykelvasan Öppet Spår, start Sälen, 92 km
Friday, August 7, Cykelvasan 45, start Oxberg, 45 km
Saturday, August 8, Cykelvasan 90, start Sälen, 92 km
Friday, August 14, Funkisvasan, start Mora, 4 km
Friday, August 14, Trailvasan 10, start Mora, 10 km
Saturday, August 15, Ultravasan 90, start Sälen, 92 km
Saturday, August 15, Vasastafetten, running relay, ten legs, start Sälen, 92 km
Saturday, August 15, Ultravasan 45, start Oxberg, 45 km
Saturday, August 15, Trailvasan 30, start Oxberg, 30 km

Vasaloppet’s Winter Week 2027 and the 103rd Vasaloppet – cross country skiing
Friday, February 26, Vasaloppet 30, start Oxberg, 30 km
Saturday, February 27, Tjejvasan, start Oxberg, 30 km
Sunday, February 28, Öppet Spår Sunday, start Sälen, 90 km
Sunday, February 28, Vasaloppet Pro Race 30, start Oxberg, j30 km
Sunday, February 28, Ungdomsvasan, start Eldris, 9 km, start Hökberg, 19 km
Monday, March 1, Öppet Spår Monday 90, freestyle, start Sälen, 90 km
Monday, March 1, Öppet Spår Monday 45, freestyle, start Oxberg, 45 km
Monday, March 1, Öppet Spår Monday 30, freestyle, start Oxberg, 30 km
Tuesday, March 2, Vasaloppet 45, start Oxberg, 45 km
Friday, March 5, Stafettvasan, ski relay, five sections, start Sälen, 90 km
Friday, March 5, Nattvasan 30, individually or two-person teams, freestyle, start Oxberg, 30 km
Friday, March 5, Nattvasan 45, individually or two-person teams, freestyle, start Oxberg, 45 km
Friday, March 5, Nattvasan 90, individually or two-person teams, freestyle, start Sälen, 90 km
Saturday, March 6, Vasaloppet 10, freestyle, start Eldris, 9 km
Sunday, March 7, The 103rd Vasaloppet, start Sälen, 90 km

Vasaloppstrippeln – ski, bike and run, all in one year
Vasaloppstrippeln is a challenge where you complete three races – skiing, cycling and running – during one and the same calendar year. Choose between 30, 45 or 90 kilometres.

Like Vasaloppet on Facebook and follow Vasaloppet on Instagram!

High-resolution photos from Vasaloppet
https://www.mynewsdesk.com/se/vasaloppet/latest_media

Text and photos may be freely published.

For more information
Camilla Sandy Swarén. Press Manager Vasaloppet
+46 (0)70-384 95 00
camilla.sandy@vasaloppet.se

More on Vasaloppet
www.vasaloppet.se
Press room: mynewsdesk.com/se/pressroom/vasaloppet
Facebook: facebook.com/vasaloppetofficial
Instagram: @vasaloppet