Decision shortly before the goal
In the fast race at high speed, the large field of almost 80 athletes stayed close together up to about 10 kilometers. Bolshunov in particular kept pushing the gas up front. After the Russians stepped up their pace on his 25th birthday, a top group formed. Only Klaebo, the Briton Andrew Musgrave and the Norwegian Sjur Roethe could follow. On the last of the four 3.75 kilometer laps, Musgrave finally wanted to start the decisive breakaway attempt on the “Burgstall” slope. But the competition stayed tuned. Shortly afterwards, Klaebo was able to take a decisive lead, ran ahead of the day’s victory – and extended the lead in the overall standings.
Cold and racing heart: Notz and Dobler get out
New Year’s Eve was bitter for two Germans: Florian Notz (Böhringen Römerstein) and Jonas Dobler (Traunstein) had to quit for health reasons. Notz did not even start the race because of a sinus infection. “It’s a shame, Florian had big plans here in Oberstdorf”, said national coach Peter Schlickenrieder in ZDF. Dobler initially started, but then gave up in the first third due to heart problems. “Jonas had a racing heart and got out. It’s bitter that the year is ending like this for two of our best men”said Schlickenrieder.