January 2, 2010 (Oberhof, Germany) – Norway’s Petter Northug looked like he may falter, but once again executed his trademark final push to hold on to the TdS leader’s jersey by a slim 0.1s following a challenge by Russia’s Maxim Vylegzhanin in the men’s 15km Classic Pursuit handicap start on Stage 2. Canada’s Devon Kershaw had a great day surging ahead to claim 10th place overall with the 6th best time in Saturday’s pursuit race to move into the top 10. Sweden’s Matti Heikkenen with the 5th best pursuit time sits in third overall.

“I didn’t have a sprint gear at the end, but it was a solid day for sure,” said 27-year-old Kershaw, “I struggled to find my energy in the first five or six kilometres, but I was able to settle in with the pace, and stay out of trouble in the mass start where lots can go wrong.”

Ivan Babikov (CAN) also had a great day moving up from 50th to 23rd overall with team mate Alex Harvey just behind in 27th with Andy Newell (USA) holding in 48th while George Grey (CAN) dropped to 51st following a great start in the Prologue.

Kershaw has had a bittersweet journey in his last three trips to the Tour de Ski. Two years ago, the Sudbury, Ont. native finished second in the opening skate-sprint race, while last year Kershaw captured his first podium finish in the men’s 15km classic pursuit when he finished third in the second stage of the Tour in Oberhof, Germany. However, illness has prevented him from making a charge for the top of the standings.

“I have been sick every year so I’m really trying to stay calm this year. I am trying to evaluate things in a hurry following each race and then let it go because there is no time until you have to get back out there,” said Kershaw, who is getting over sickness which he suffered over the holiday season. “You need everyone on the team to pitch in from good skis, to getting dry clothes, and having proper food to survive this thing. Today our wax techs were awesome, we all had great skis, and our whole team pulled together and did a great job.”

With files from Cross Country Canada.

Men’s Press Conference – TdS Stage 2 – 15km CL handicap start


Men’s 15km Classic Pursuit handicap start full results here (detailed pdf here).
Men’s Overall TdS Standings here.

Results

Men (brief)

1. Petter Northug (Nor) 47:07.8
2. Maxim Vylegzhanin (Rus) +0.1
3. Matti Heikkenen (Swe) +0.8

10. Devon Kershaw (CAN) +10.9
23. Ivan Babikov (CAN) +30.0
27. Alex Harvey (CAN) +30.6
48. Andy Newell (USA) +1:52.9
51. George Grey (CAN) +1:55.6