Blenkinsop had toured Europe in the buildup to Norway and picked up four World Cup series finishes in the top six.
He said conditions at the Hafjell track were perfect for the September 4-7 event.
The masters world champs had been held the week before in horrible wet weather conditions which had "beaten up" the forest course, so the mud had become hard-packed by the time they raced in the sunny climate.
"It was already a race track that was really rough," he said.
"That's why the times were so tight, because there was nothing dividing everyone. When it's wet and muddy it usually stretches them out."
While seventh, Blenkinsop's time was only 0.5s off the top 3.
"I felt like that weekend I could have been [podium], but it was just little mistakes or even nothing. But that's racing."
Blenkinsop will now take a month's rest before getting back into bike testing for Lapierre Riding Addiction.
He may then attend some more overseas events, before the local season begins in April.
