January 29, 2017 (Falun, SWE) – Canadian Alex Harvey finished a solid 15th in the men’s 30km CL at Falun’s Lugnet stadium as Norway’s Emil Iversen took the win over fellow Norge Martin Johnsrud Sundby at 4s with Sweden’s Calle Halfvarsson coming through in 3rd a few seconds later.

The USA’s Erik Bjornsen led the Americans in 35th followed by Noah Hoffman in 37th, Matt Gelso in 44th and Andy Newell in 53rd. Conditions featured temperatures a few degrees below zero, with firm tracks and cloudy skis.

The race got off to a fast start led by Sundby, fellow Norge Sjur Roethe, Iivo Niskanen of Finland, Sweden’s Halfvarsson and Daniel Rickardsson along with Russia’s Alexander Bessmertnykh.

But the infamous Mördarbacken took its toll and when Iversen upped the pace with Sundby near the 15km mark the lead group strung out behind. Roethe attacked but was reeled in as a 9-strong lead group formed and Harvey and Dario Cologna were dropped.

Sundby attacked the final time up the Mördarbacken but Iversen responded and the two duked it out with Iversen taking top honours and as Halfvarsson claimed the final podium spot.

Harvey finished 15th and holds on to 4th overall as Sundby now leads the World Cup ranking by 344 points over Sergey Ustiugov (RUS). Next up are the pre-Olympic World Cups in Pyeongchang, Korea.

Results here.