February 5, 2010 (Canmore, Alberta) – The final podium in the men’s 15km freestyle, Viessmann World Cup in Canmore, Alberta was hotly contested, and the eventual second place finisher did not relinquish the top of the podium without a fight. Under a warming sun and spring-like temperatures, Italy’s Pietro Piller Cottrer and Giorgio Di Centa waged a back and forth battle of mere seconds, with Di Centa finally taking his first every World Cup win by just five seconds at the line over his team mate. Swiss star Dario Cologna followed closely behind in third while Canadian Ivan Babikov had an outstanding performance, landing himself in 10th, just 39 seconds off the leader.

Di Centa was clearly very pleased with his win, saying that he now feels “like a complete athlete” having won Olympic gold (in the 50km at Torino in 2006) and now a World Cup. He’s looking forward to the 15km in Whistler, as well as to defending his title in the long distance 50km classic race.

At the post-race press conference Piller Cotttrer said how much he loves racing in Canmore, likely why does well here. He joked about teaching his family English so that they could move here when he retires from competitive racing, remarking how similar the altitude and landscape of the Rockies is to his native Dolomites.

When asked whether there was concern that they may have peaked too early for the Olympics, Piller Cottrer said, “We’ve been targeting top ten finishes, and being in such good shape is a bit of a surprise, but we’re not worried. In fact quite we’re quite excited about the upcoming Winter Olympic Games.” Both Italians were quick to thank their wax crews for the “rocket” skis they raced on.

Former Tour de Ski and World Cup overall champ Cologna was satisfied with his race, especially since, “the Canmore course is in my opinion one of the hardest tracks on the [World Cup] circuit”.

While the contest for the podium occupied most cameras, there were many other heroics on the race course today. Just outside the podium, in fifth place, was German Axel Teichmann, a fact made all the more astounding given his standing of around 20th with just over half a lap to go. As the race announcer aptly put it, “No one, I mean no one finishes like Axel Teichmann.”

Following Babikov’s fine 10th place performance was team mate George Gray who also had a very good day, finishing in 17th, at 56 seconds behind Di Centa. American Kris Freeman lead Team USA finishing in 20th, with team mate Matt Liebsch in 29th. Gord Jewett, the third best Canadian on the day, fought hard and finished in 32nd, just seven seconds outside the top 30 and 0.02 seconds ahead of the USA’s Garrott Kuzzy.

Top Canucks, Devon Kershaw and Alex Harvey, both had difficult days on the trail. Harvey said that he is still recovering from jet lag and some heavy volume training, but that he isn’t concerned. “It’s all part of my peaking plan,” he commented.

On Saturday the world’s best sprinters will test their mettle on a very long and hilly classic sprint course. It is seems most have concluded that the organizers’ intention is to finally have a Canmore sprint course that will prove too much for even the strongest double-polers in the world. Only tomorrow will tell…

Men’s full results here.

Results (brief)

1. Giorgio Di Centa (Ita) 34:08.0
2. Pietro Piller Cottrer (Ita) +5.1
3. Dario Cologna (Sui) +11.9

10. Ivan Babikov (Can) +39.7
17. George Grey (Can) +56.0
20. Kris Freeman (USA) +1:09.2
29. Matthew Edward Liebsch (USA) +1:27.6
32. Gordon Jewett (Can) +1:35.6
33. Garrott Kuzzy (USA) +1:35.8
35. James Southam (USA) +1:40.0
37. Devon Kershaw (Can) +1:48.3
39. Mike Hinckley (USA) +1:57.5
41. Bryan Cook (USA) 2:05.1
42. Noah Hoffman (USA) +2:05.9
50. Brenton Knight (USA) +2:30.2
51. Graham Nishikawa (Can) +2: 41.0
52. Chris Butler (Can) +2:42.4
56. Leif-Orin Zimmermann (USA) +2:46.1
57. Tad Elliot (USA) +2:46.2
62. Alex Harvey (Can) +2:56.8
63. Brian McKeever (Can) +3:01.8
64. Robin McKeever (Can) +3:12.5
66. Brent McMurtry (Can) +3:19.7
68. Brian Gregg (USA) +3:34.9
70. Eric Carleton (Can) +3:49.2
71. Kit Richmond (Can) +4:08.8
72. Phillip Wood (Can) +4:19.7
75. Curtis Merry (Can) +5:03.8
76. Jeff Ellis (Can) +5:10.2