January 16, 2010 (Otepaa, Estonia) – Lukas Bauer (CZE) was back on top following six days rest after he won the Tour de Ski last weekend, as he was unbeatable in the men’s 15km Classic World Cup event in Otepaa on Saturday – now second overall behind Petter Northg (NOR).

Estonia’s own Andrus Veerpalu and Jaak Mae hoped for a win, but their second and third place are excellent results, as they finished just ahead of Serguie Novikov and Alexander Kuznetsov of Russia, and well ahead of the Norwegian trio of Jens Arne Svartedal (6th), Eldar Roenning (7th), and Odd-Bjoern Hjelmeset (8th).

The Canadians were led by Graham Nishikawa’s 32nd place at +2:25.6 back followed by Sean Crooks and Brent McMurtry in 39th-40th, with Stefan Kuhn in 46th. Phil Widmer did not start. The men’s competition continues tomorrow with the Classic Sprints.

Men’s full results here.
Men’s Overall Distance here.
Men’s Overall here.

Results (brief)

1. Lukas Bauer (CZE) 36:45.7
2. Andrus Veerpalu (EST) +16.9
3. Jaak Mae (EST) +41.6
4. Serguei Novikov (RUS) +45.4
5. Alexander Kuznetsov (RUS) +51.5
6. Jens Arne Svartedal (NOR) +56.3
7. Eldar Roenning (NOR) +1:00.7
8. Odd-Bjoern Hjelmeset (NOR) +1:17.7
9. Artem Zhmurko (RUS) +1:21.0
10. Egor Sorin (RUS) +1:26.2

32. Graham Nishikawa (CAN) +2:25.6
39. Sean Crooks (CAN) +3:05.4
40. Brent McMurtry (CAN) +3:07.4
46. Stefan Kuhn (CAN) +3:29.8
DNS Phil Widmer (CAN)