There was a surprise on the 3rd stage: Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo, who had won the previous two stages, had to give up. The leader of the Tour de Ski had major problems over the 20 kilometer freestyle in Toblach. The victory again went to a Norwegian. Friedrich Moch narrowly missed the top ten.
The big favorite had to give up: Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo was already far behind after 2.1 kilometers, and the Norwegian’s gap grew larger from split to split. Klaebo crossed the finish line 46 seconds behind his compatriot Harald Östberg Amundsen. The defending champion won with a lead of 21.2 seconds over Simen Hegstad Krüger (NOR). Briton Andrew Musgrav came in third (28.4). The three-time Tour de Ski champion has lost 46 seconds of his full minute lead over Amundsen in the overall standings, but will also wear the overall leader’s jersey on New Year’s Day.
Bright spots in the DSV team
Things have been rather disappointing for the DSV team so far on the Tour de Ski. But in the freestyle race, Friedrich Moch and Janosch Brugger showed solid races. Brugger started the race quickly. At kilometer 2.1 he was even three seconds ahead of winner Amundsen and also left the big favorite Klaebo behind by 20 seconds. But as the race progressed, the strength weakened. In the end, the 27-year-old made it into the top 20 (+ 1:21.4 minutes).
Moch, second in the tour last year, was able to improve to twelfth place after finishing 39th in the mass start. Last year’s runner-up in the Tour started the race at a leisurely pace, divided his strength well – at the finish he was 1:07.3 minutes behind and just missed the top ten.
The next stops on the Tour de Ski
Dobbiaco
01/01, 10:30 a.m.: Men, pursuit 15 km C
01/01, 12:30 p.m.: Women, pursuit 15 km C
Val di Fiemme
January 3rd, 12:15 p.m.: Qualifications women/men, Sprint C
January 3rd, 2:45 p.m.: Finals women/men, Sprint C
January 4th, 11:00 a.m.: Men, Skiathlon 20 km C/F
January 4th, 3:30 p.m.: Women, skiathlon 20 km C/F
January 5th, 2:15 p.m.: Men, mass start, 10 km F (Final Climb)
January 5th, 3:30 p.m.: Women, mass start, 10 km F (Final Climb)