Alexey Poltoranin (KAZ) leads to the line in the 15k CL in Oberstdorf (GER) © Nordic Focus

January 06, 2016 (Obertsdorf, Germany) – In a down-to-the-wire finish, Alexey Poltoranin (KAZ) won the stage 5 Tour de Ski men’s 15km CL Mass Start race today in Obertsdorf, pipping Switzerland’s Dario Cologna (SUI) by a mere 0.1 seconds behind with Francesco De Fabiani 0.6s back in third followed by Niklas Dyrhaug (NOR) at 0.7s behind.

Poltoranin vs Cologna ©

Stage 5 was a tough day for many of the favourites as Tour de Ski leader, the seemingly unstoppable Martin Sundby (NOR), began to show signs of cracking at the 3km mark. He soon dropped back and finished a disappointing 23rd, losing a massive 56.4s, yet he maintains the overall lead over countryman Petter Northug Jr. (NOR).

Lead group, 15k CL mass start Oberstdorf (GER) © Nordic Focus

Canada’s Alex Harvey also had a challenging day, dropping back to finish 21st on the day, earning the top North American finish. He holds onto a top-10 ranking in the overall in 10th.

Alex Harvey (CAN) © Nordic Focus

“It was a hard race right from the start today,” said Justin Wadsworth, head coach, National Ski Team while the squad was packing up to head to Toblach, Italy for its second last stop before the Tour wraps up in Val di Fiemme. “Alex was just not 100 per cent today, and didn’t have the fight from the beginning.

(l-r) Cologna, Poltarinin, De Fabiani, Men's 15k CL Oberstdorf (GER) podium © Nordic Focus

Cologna looked strong throughout the race, and by the 10km mark there were 15 skiers in the lead group, including Northug, who celebrated his 30th birthday is today. Alexander Legkov (RUS) made a bid with an attack, but in the end Poltoranin, a classic expert, took the lead and bested Cologna at the line for the victory.

Devon Kershaw (CAN) in the mix in the men's 15k CL in Oberstdorf (GER) © Nordic Focus

In other North American results, Canada’s Devon Kershaw (CAN) finished 29th, Ivan Babikov (CAN) was 35th, the USA’s Noah Hoffman (USA) finished 41st, Erik Bjornsen (USA) was 56th, and Andy Newell (USA) did not finish.

Devon Kershaw (CAN), men's mass start 15k CL Oberstdorf (GER) © Nordic Focus

“The Tour de Ski and Ski Tour Canada (coming to Quebec and Alberta in March) are the two biggest events for us this year,” said Kershaw, who is one of only four athletes to have started and finished all 10 editions of the Tour de Ski. “These races are so important and you can’t have too many bad or off days if you want to finish high on the results list. This isn’t my first rodeo though. Over the years I have tailored my training to be ready for the efforts required day-in, day out in a competition like this.”

Alexey Poltarinin (KAZ) wins men's 15k CL in Oberstdorf (GER) © Nordic Focus

Athletes head into a rest day tomorrow before they hit Toblach, Italy for the final weekend of 2016 Tour de Ski action.

Lead group, men's mass start 15k CL Oberstdorf (GER) © Nordic Focus

Results here.
Overall Tour de Ski standings here.

M 15K CL podium ©