Andorran Skier Irineu Esteve Withdraws from Tour de Ski After Tough Stage

Andorran cross-country skier Irineu Esteve has withdrawn from the Tour de Ski after finishing 74th in the 20km classic pursuit race on Tuesday in Toblach-Dobbiaco, Italy, the event's fourth stage.

Esteve clocked 49:22.4, well behind winner Edvin Anger of Sweden, who finished in 45:39.5. In the cumulative time standings after the stage, Esteve placed 73rd with 52:34.4, trailing leader Johannes Høsflot Klæbo of Norway by 6:32.7. Overall in the Tour de Ski general classification, he sat 6:33 behind Klæbo's total of 1:19:31.

The skier described the race as the toughest of his career, both physically and mentally. He struggled throughout in zone 2 intensity, unable to push harder, and said his body simply would not respond. "It has been the hardest race of my life, psychologically and physically," Esteve said. He added that the season had fallen far short of expectations, with unfamiliar sensations leaving the team uncertain whether to increase volume, intensity, or rest. "We are trying everything to change this dynamic, but we are not succeeding. We don't know what the body needs—it's a bit crazy," he explained.

Esteve's earlier results in the Tour had also been modest: 116th in the freestyle sprint qualifier, 39th in the 10km classic, and 85th in the 5km after a setback at a pole exchange. After consulting his team, he opted not to travel to Val di Fiemme for the weekend stages—a classic sprint on Saturday and a 10km mass start freestyle with the Alpe Cermis climb on Sunday—prioritising recovery over continuing in poor form.

The decision leaves Andorra without representation in the ongoing Tour de Ski, as Gina del Rio had already returned home. Esteve thanked his support network for their encouragement, noting he completed the fourth stage for their sake and his desire to stay in the competition.