Cross-country star Johannes Hösflot Kläbo remains in a class of his own at the Tour de Ski.
The defending champion from Norway also won the fourth stage over 20 kilometers in Oberstdorf and extended his lead in the overall standings. Only the Russian Sergej Ustyugow had previously managed four victories at the start of the tour, who even won the first five sections in 2016/17.
Friedrich Moch showed a very strong race again. The 22-year-old from Isny was 1:17 minutes behind Kläbo in pursuit, quickly caught up with the leading group and was even in the lead after 11.2 kilometers. In the end, Moch finished 15th, just 6.7 seconds behind.
In the overall standings, Moch climbed to eleventh place and can hope for a top ten finish ahead of the final three stages in Val di Fiemme. As the last German runners to date, Rene Sommerfeldt and Axel Teichmann succeeded in doing so in winter 2009/10 with places six and seven.
Jonas Dobler and Florian Notz followed on Wednesday in 31st and 32nd place. Albert Kuchler (Lam), on Tuesday over ten kilometers in 28th place, was still the best German, but dropped out due to health problems. “The decision is a precautionary measure,” said team doctor Alexander Disch.
After 41:35.8 minutes, Kläbo was 1.8 seconds ahead of his compatriot Sindre Björnestad Skar, third was the Italian Federico Pellegrino. For record holder Kläbo it was the 15th triumph on a tour stage.