December 29, 2007 (Nove Mesto, Czech Republic) – Czech favorite Lukas Bauer kept up the beat Saturday, winning for the second straight day at the FIS Tour de Ski. Canadian Devon Kershaw, showing new promise in crowded situations, placing 24th in the men’s 15 km freestyle pursuit race.

Bauer, who won the opening Prologue Friday, was timed in 34:53.5 for the handicap-start race (based on Prologue results). Marcus Hellner of Sweden was second (35:40.5) with Anders Soedergren, another Swede, in third place.

Kershaw’s time was 35:52.1 with team mate Dave Nighbor in 53rd.

Kershaw, 25th in the Prologue, started 39 seconds back of Bauer, so there was almost a mass start feel to the race with so many skiers starting virtually together. Coach Dave Wood has said Kershaw’s become an improved pack skier and he showed that again Saturday. He was one of 30 skiers within 20 seconds of Hellner in second place.

“Right from the gun everyone was concerned on making up positions on the field which created a lot of confusion out there today,” Kershaw said. “I was able to stay with the lead pack. These guys really put the hammer down going up hills so I’m happy I was able to keep up with the pace.”

The throng of lead skiers on the narrow Nove Mesto trails made for some drama. “That was a lot of grown men on such a narrow trail. It was crazy out there,” said Kershaw.

“I was right with the leaders coming down to the final sprint, but with only four lanes and that many guys packed together, it takes time to get to the line. “

Nighbor, a newcomer to the World Cup-level of racing, was 37th in the Prologue but took a bit of a beating Saturday. The key, Wood said, is the experience he’s gaining.

“I got eaten alive and was disappointed with today’s race. This is a great experience for me despite losing time on the field. I treat every day as a new race, a new experience and an opportunity for me to post some good results,” Nighbor said.

In the women’s 10km, Norwegian great Marit Bjoergen won in 35:25.0. Emerging Swedish star Charlotte Kalla was two-tenths back and Justyna Kowalczyk of Poland completed the podium in 35:32.2. No North American women raced.

The FIS Tour de Ski resumes Sunday with 1km skating sprints in Prague before returning to Nove Mesto for races New Year’s Day and Wednesday, Jan. 2. It’ll be freestyle events – a 15km for the men, 10km for women – on Tuesday, Jan. 1, with the same distances but classic technique the next day as Nove Mesto organizers agreed to pickup two races dropped by Oberstdorf, Germany.

Full Women’s results here.

Full Men’s results here.