January 09, 2016 (Val di Fiemme, ITA) – Canada’s Alex Harvey battled to a strong 7th place finish on Saturday in the men’s 15km CL at Val di Fiemme, Italy, the second last stage of the Tour de Ski. Norway’s Martin Johnsrud Sundby set a blistering pace and out-dueled his teammate Niklas Dyrhaug at the finish for the win. Alexey Poltoranin rounded out the podium in third. Sundby now has a commanding lead of almost 3 min. coming into the final stage on Sunday.

“It was really tough conditions again today. The skis were fast. I went with slicker skis. The kick was on the limit going up the hills, but I was fast on the downhills,” said Harvey who sits 12th overall. “This stage of the race it is like a lottery with the body. The guys on the podium in the overall are the guys who can be stable the whole time. I had good skis but just no power in the body yesterday. Today, the body was totally different. It was not amazing today, but it was back to where I believe I belong.”

Noah Hoffman from Aspen, CO led the U.S. men’s team finishing 23rd, and is 27th in the overall. Canadian veteran Ivan Babikov landed in the points placing 30th while Devon Kershaw was just behind in 31st. Kershaw is one of the few skiers who have raced at all 10 editions of the now legendary Tour.

“This Tour has been a difficult one – the gaps are enormous – biggest ever. While all the Tour de Skis have been hard, this year with Sundby just absolutely on another planet in pretty much every race, it’s changing the dynamic of men’s racing on the World Cup. Back in the day in 95% of the mass start races the pace would fluctuate… and then the last lap would be really, really fast.

“Now (this season especially) – Sundby drops the hammer early – and it’s like throwing a grenade in the field. There are small groups scattered all over the track and everyone is just on fumes while he’s beasting up front. So, in that regard, Sundby is the first male skier in my career to consistently rip apart mass starts. Bauer has done it a few times, Olsson and Cologna as well a couple times – but Sundby does it every mass start. It’s tough racing these days,” shared Kershaw.

What’s his goal for tomorrow’s final climb? “Make it to the finish line, haha. Just kidding, but the reality is even in my best years I have been less than impressive up this Alpine hill. I mean, when I was 4th (2012), 7th (2011) in the overall – both times I was in a podium position starting out, and got rocked by those around me. I have finished in the top 30 only once or twice I think (in the “time of the day” competition where the “day World Cup points” are awarded), so let’s just say that herringboning up an alpine hill is not my favourite ski race on earth. That said – my goal is to score at least one WC point. If I can accomplish that, it’ll be a resounding success for the day (the climb). We’ll see if I can pull it off,” he concluded.

The punishing course on the spectacular Val di Fiemme track has been kind to Harvey and the Canadian squad over the years. Harvey has two of his Tour de Ski podiums in Val di Fiemme and also captured a bronze medal on the challenging course when it hosted the 2013 World Championships.

“I was much better today and I am back to enjoying the sport today,” continued Harvey who was a disappointing 37th on the previous stage. “I was tired this morning for sure, but I’m happy to have the best stage of this year’s Tour. Every time I put a bib on I want to be in the top-10 with the ultimate goal of being on the podium. So anytime you are in the top-10 it is satisfying.”

“The finish has been good here for me. I feel if I’m in a pack coming towards the finish line I am able to sneak around a couple of guys,” said Harvey. “Val di Fiemme is a hard course and has a bit of everything. It has hard uphills, but the flat sections are also tough. I feel on a good day I am a complete skier and Val di Fiemme demands you to be a complete skier.”

The eight-race Tour de Ski celebrating its 10th year wraps up on Sunday with the climb up Mount Cermis.

Full results here.
Overall Standings here.