Cologna gets his Swiss World Cup victory

(Lenzerheide, Switzerland) Dario Cologna (SUI) with his 23rd World Cup victory has won for the first time in Switzerland.  He won the Tour de Ski's stage two men's 15 km classic competition in Lenzerheide by just 0.6 seconds over Kazakhstan's Alexey Poltoranin.  This was Cologna's first World Cup win since Rybinsk, Russia in January 2015.  In third place in today's competition was Martin Johnsrud Sundby of Norway +13.1 seconds back from Cologna.

Russia's Sergey Ustiugov finished in 10th place today +37.1 seconds off the lead but continues to lead the Tour.  He will begin tomorrow's 15 km free technique pursuit event just 1.6 seconds ahead of Cologna who with today's win now sits second in the overall Tour standings.  Alexander Bolshunov of Russia sits in third place in the overall and will start 13.1 seconds after Ustiugov.

ATHLETE QUOTES

Dario Cologna (SUI)
It has been a long time since I won the race last time and it is great to finally win in Switzerland. I thought I could do it in Davos but my first victory came in Lenzerheide. The fans were amazing. I showed already yesterday that I am in shape. I did not want to start too fast but I was never too far away from the lead. I was able to pace it well. I had also amazing skis.

Alexey Poltoranin (KAZ)
I am very happy for the second place. It’s my second podium in two weeks. It’s good for my confidence to see I can keep the shape. I of course wanted to win. It was a close battle between me and Dario. To lose a victory by so close is hard.

Martin Johnsrud Sundby (NOR)
It was a good a race. It was much better than my performance before Christmas. I did not lose a lot of time in the overall Tour de Ski standing and that’s good.

OFFICIAL RESULTS

MEN 15 km C Interval Start

1. COLOGNA Dario 1986 SUI 35:29.5
2. POLTORANIN Alexey 1987 KAZ +0.6
3. SUNDBY Martin Johnsrud 1984 NOR +13.1
4. BOLSHUNOV Alexander 1996 RUS +14.0
5. CHERVOTKIN Alexey 1995 RUS +16.2

Complete RESULTS

OVERALL TOUR STANDINGS - After Stage 2

1. USTIUGOV Sergey RUS 38:05.0
2. COLOGNA Dario SUI +1.6
3. BOLSHUNOV Alexander RUS +12.7
4. POLTORANIN Alexey KAZ +22.0
5. HAKOLA Ristomatti FIN +27.7

Complete