Cologna makes it 2 for 2 and leads Tour

(Lenzerheide, Switzerland) Dario Cologna thrilled the home crowd again in Lenzeheide with his second win in two days.  He began today's third stage of the Tour de Ski with a 1.6 second deficit to Tour leader Sergey Ustiugov of Russia but already in the second of lap of 4 he skied away from Ustiugov for the win and the lead in the Tour after stage three.  It was a 17.6 second margin of victory and with bonus seconds at the finish line a 22.6 second Tour lead heading into the first rest day.  Alexander Bolshunov (RUS) hung on for third place today, the same position which he started.  A tough final lap for Bolshunov brought the lead chasing group within seconds of him at the finish line.  Canada's Alex Harvey led that group to the line for 4th place just ahead of Alexey Poltoranin of Kazakhstan who after being caught by the chasing group found his legs and fought hard to the line only to lose one place in the Tour standings.

The Tour now moves on from Lenzerheide to Oberstdorf, Germany for 4th and 5th stages 4 on January 3-4, 2018.

ATHLETE QUOTES

Dario Cologna (SUI)
I was little bit surprised. It was not planned to ski away in the second lap. When Sergey got tired I just went. The crowd was amazing and it helped me a lot in the last lap when I got tired.

Sergey Ustiugov (RUS)
It was an OK race from me. I was hoping for a better result though. I tried to stay with Dario but when attacked and got away I was not able to close the gap. I will keep on fighting.

Alexander Bolshunov (RUS)
I am quite satisfied with my race today. It was almost perfect. I was able to keep the steady pace and gain some seconds. I am not so happy with the last 3 km of today. I got tired and the group behind me almost caught. But I am happy I could finish in 3rd place.

OFFICIAL RESULTS

MEN 15 km F Pursuit

1. COLOGNA Dario 1986 SUI 34:56.6
2. USTIUGOV Sergey 1992 RUS +17.6
3. BOLSHUNOV Alexander 1996 RUS +45.5
4. HARVEY Alex 1988 CAN +46.8 
5. POLTORANIN Alexey 1987 KAZ +47.1

Complete RESULTS

OVERALL TOUR DE SKI STANDINGS - After 3rd Stage

1. COLOGNA Dario SUI 1:12:46.6
2. USTIUGOV Sergey RUS +22.6
3. BOLSHUNOV Alexander RUS +55.5
4. HARVEY Alex CAN +1:01.8
5. POLTORANIN Alexey KAZ +1:02.1

Complete

FASTEST OF THE DAY

1. MANIFICAT Maurice 1986 FRA 34:41.8
2. RICKARDSSON Daniel 1982 SWE +4.4
3. LARKOV Andrey 1989 RUS +6.1
4. HARVEY Alex 1988 CAN +7.8
5. HOLUND Hans Christer 1989 NOR +8.5

Complete