Bakken won his first world cup race the same year, in the 15 kilometre mass start in
Oslo Holmenkollen, on 20 March 2022. After a successful 2021–2022 season, Bakken was unable to return to competition the following season due to a heart problem,
pericarditis. He announced his intent to hopefully return during the 2023–2024 season, having resumed training, and he competed in several World Cup races in late 2025. ==Personal life and death==