January 06, 2013 (Val di Fiemme, Italy) – The final handicap-style Stage 7, up gruelling Alpe Cermis, at this year’s Tour de Ski turned out to be one of the most interesting finales since the fabled Tour began seven years ago. With the four lead skiers separated by mere seconds, fans were finally treated to a race on arguably the toughest stage in the sport.

Defending champ, Dario Cologna (SUI), was the lead off skier who was quickly caught by Russia’s Alexander Legkov and Maxim Vylegzhanin, along with Norwegian bad boy, Petter Northug decked out in a 1/2-sleeved top and tights and seemingly ready to work up a sweat – or any overheating.

The lead up Cermis was exchanged by Cologna and Legkov as Vylegzhanin and Northug were content to sit on. But when Legkov attacked just after the 7.1km mark only Cologna could respond, yet even the mighty Swiss skier could not contain his Russian rival.

Vylegzhanin tried to chase down Cologna but in the end was content with third as the 3x-defending champ settled for the silver. As another Tour eluded him, Northug finished in fourth destined to revisit the drawing board once again.

For Canadian fans the spotlight was on Ivan Babikov, as the Russian native continued his stellar season, claiming the second fastest time on the stage for yet another Canuck podium and his best overall Tour result in 7th. Fans will remember that Babikov won this stage in 2009 for his first quasi-World Cup victory. This year Marcus Hellner (SWE) was fastest up Cermis to finish 5th overall.

“For me it was the best Tour ever,” Babikov told Trax, “I’ve had several personal bests like yesterday’s 15km Classic race (he was 7th) and I’m so impressed with our team and Lenny and Alex being on the podium together. It boosts us all with great energy and I’m just so happy and proud right now as the team is doing so well.”

Also putting in a great day was Devon Kershaw, who is shaking out the cobwebs and getting back on track with a 13-place finish up Cermis, his best ever. “It’s not the Tour I hoped for but the other guys are doing so well and today I finally felt good. Finishing 12th overall isn’t where I wanted to be but I feel like I salvaged something today.”

Not far behind Kershaw in 23rd was the young Torontonian skier, Lenny Valjas, who was just happy to get Cermis and his first Tour under his belt as his finished 23rd overall. “The Tour is harder than I thought it would be… it’s tough but I was just really excited to be on this trip with these three guys. It was a lot of fun and I hope I can be here again next year and contribute to the team.”

Sandwiched in between Kershaw and Valjas was rookie American Hoah Hoffman who had a tough start to the Tour but a solid finish with the 17th best time up Cermis to land 46th overall. “It was tough and I learned so much at the Tour. There were some rough spots at the start but I started to feel better. Today was the toughest stage and to come away with some success is a good feeling with more racing and the Worlds coming up.”

Veteran US skier Kris Freeman finished 44th overall and while it wasn’t his best Tour the focus for the Andover, NH skier is on the upcoming Worlds with plenty of training and racing time in between to sharpen his skiing.

Alex Harvey did not race up Alpe Cermis on Sunday told us he knew back in May that it was not in the cards given his previous artery problems with his left leg that was operated on in 2008. “We had four doctors giving their opinion including my Mom and it was clear that sitting out Cermis was the best decision for my leg. We knew the effect of this brutal course and it didn’t make sense to put leg under that kind of pressure.

“Still it was a great Tour for me and the team… everyone’s improving and we feel good together. Some might not always agree with our plans but we feel confident that we’re moving in the right direction.”

With double podiums for Dasha Gaiazova in Germany the Canadian team seems to be on a roll as both the American and Canadian camps will disband and take a well earned break, then be back training soon. Some of the sprinters will meet up and race in Liberec on Jan. 12-13, while most will reconvene for WCup #6 in La Clusaz the following weekend.

“It was an interesting Tour and our techs really came through like never before – I think we’re one of the few teams that never and really nailed the wax when it counted,” said Canadian head coach Justin Wadsworth. “With Lenny showing great form we’re excited about our prospects and option with the relay as well. I feel good about where the team is right now.” During interviews in Quebec City the team was suffering but Wadsworth always felt the training was there and the form would come… so it did.

For now another Tour de Ski has ended and the North Americans have once again made their mark at one of the toughest races in the world… with more fireworks to come.

Results HERE
Overall Men’s Standings HERE