Petter Northug revved up his preparations for next month’s Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, by winning the penultimate stage of the FIS Tour de Ski on Saturday, cutting into fellow Norwegian Martin Johnsrud Sundby’s overall lead.
Northug clocked 24 minutes, 45.6 seconds over the 10km cross-country classical stage.
Sundby crossed second 9.7 seconds later, while Chris Jespersen, another Norwegian, was third.
Photo: Reuters
Sundby’s lead over Northug was reduced to 48.5 seconds, with Jespersen 1:26.8 behind entering yesterday’s seventh and final stage, the grueling climb up Mount Cermis in Trentino, Italy.
The top American is Noah Hoffman in 31st.
Norwegians are also commanding the women’s race, with two-time runner-up Therese Johaug winning a 5km classical stage to cut into the lead of countrywoman Astrid Uhrenholdt Jacobsen.
Johaug timed 13 minutes, 58.4 seconds to finish 14.9 seconds ahead of Jacobsen, with Anne Kyllonen of Finland third, 19.2 seconds back.
In the overall, Jacobsen’s lead over Johaug was sliced to 23.8 seconds, with Kyllonen 1:31.5 back.
The top American is Jessica Diggins in 11th.
Northug won the 15km classical title at last year’s world championships in Val di Fiemme and also took gold in the 50km at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. He has also finished on the podium four times in the Tour de Ski, but has never won the competition.
“I am getting stronger with each competition,” Northug said. “This time I am not as tired going to the final stage.”
Sundby has never come close to winning the Tour de Ski.
“I felt quite tired after yesterday’s competition,” said Sundby, who won Friday’s stage. “I felt better in the second lap. I have to recover well today and get ready for the final climb. It will be pure pain.”
Johaug was runner-up in 2011 and last year, and finished third in 2012, while Jacobsen has never reached the podium.
“I feel I am in a very good shape and I can compete with almost everybody,” Jacobsen said. “I do not think much about the overall result. It’s already a great achievement for me to be in the leading position before the final stage.”
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