January 11, 2015 (Val di Fiemme, ITA) – Norway’s Martin Johnsrud Sundby was in a class of his own as he defended his Tour de Ski title on the final 9km FR Pursuit climb up Alpe Cermis reminding everyone of his skillset and his will to win.

Petter Northug Jr. his teammate put in a valiant effort, with his parents in the crowd, to claim second as a Tour victory remains an elusive entry on his lengthy palmares. Russian Evgeniy Belov overtook Sweden’s Calle Halvarsson to earn the final spot on the podium.

Canada’s Ivan Babikov, who won this stage back in 2009, had the 12th fastest time on the day to finish 31st overall. Teammate Devon Kershaw managed to keep pace until about 1km to go and finished 35th.

Alex Harvey opted not take on the climb again to avoid any injury to his leg that was operated on some years ago as…”he has chronic difficulties with a leg circulation issue that is aggravated by long, uphill skating.” Lenny Valjas left early with a stomach ailment and the American men’s team also departed the Tour early as planned.

Roland Clara (Ita) recorded the fastest time up Cermis with MANIFICAT Maurice Manificat (Fra) second and Sundby third. With his second consecutive Tour victory Sundby joins Dario Cologna as the only male skier to win consecutive Tour titles.  Justyna Kowalcyzk (POL) is the only other athlete to win back to back Tours (she has won it four times).

“Today feels just amazing. I did not have the best start today. I did not feel good at the beginning. Petter was pushing hard after the start and I did not know if I could follow him. I am so happy and relieved to win. Mentally it was the biggest challenge ever,” commented Sundby.

Full results here.
Overall Standings here.
Cermis results here.