Klaebo gets first distance World Cup win

(Quebec City, Canada) - Just one day removed from becoming the youngest ever winner of the sprint crystal globe, Norway's Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo has won his first ever World Cup distance competition.  Klaebo won the second stage of the World Cup finals in Quebec City, Canada in the 15 km mass start competition.  He over took his teammate Niklas Dyrhaug on the homestretch for the win by 0.5 seconds.  Russia's Alexander Bessmertnykh took third just 0.8 behind Klaebo.  It was a high pace that stretched the field out early but leading group of approximately 20 athletes broke away and finished all within 15 seconds of the winning time by Klaebo.

Klaebo now leads the mini tour standings after two stages by 22.8 seconds ahead of Dyrhaug.  Local favourite Alex Harvey of Canada sits third in the standings and will start the pursuit just 0.5 seconds behind Dyrhaug.  The final stage will be a free technique 15 km pursuit start competition to end the 2017 FIS Cross-Country World Cup season.

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ATHLETE QUOTES

Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo (NOR)
The plan was to ski in the front to get as many bonus seconds as possible. 42 seconds are important for the overall position. It will be a tough battle tomorrow.

Niklas Dyrhaug (NOR)
I wanted to go for a long sprint to see if I can go for victory. It was not enough. Johannes is a great talent. In a race and finish like this nobody can beat him.

Alexander Bessmertnykh (RUS)
It was a fun race. There was a lot of things happening all the time. I followed Niklas and Johannes on the last climb. We gained a small gap. I managed to ski well the last curve before the homestretch and carried in good speed.

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OFFICIAL RESULTS

MEN - 15 km Classic

1. KLAEBO Johannes Hoesflot 1996 NOR 35:23.7
2. DYRHAUG Niklas 1987 NOR +0.5
3. BESSMERTNYKH Alexander 1986 RUS +0.8
4. HARVEY Alex 1988 CAN +1.2 0.79
5. ROETHE Sjur 1988 NOR +1.7

Full RESULTS

World Cup Finals Tour Standings

1. KLAEBO Johannes Hoesflot NOR 37:06.1
2. DYRHAUG Niklas NOR +22.8
3. HARVEY Alex CAN +23.3
4. KROGH Finn Haagen NOR +34.2
5. SKAR Sindre Bjoernestad NOR +49.4

Fulln