Ustiugov sets Tour record with 4th consecutive win

Russia's Sergey Ustiugov has set a Tour de Ski record for men with his 4th consecutive Tour stage victory.  He not only won the stage four 15 km Pursuit competition in free technique but increased his lead over Martin Johnsrud Sundy (NOR) now to 42.2 seconds heading into tomorrow's rest day.  Sundby stayed in second place today +37.2 behind Ustiugov's winning time.  Canada's Alex Harvey was caught early by Dario Cologna (SUI) and the two raced together for most of the competition.  Harvey who appeared to have faster skis used it to his advantage and overtook Cologna coming off the final downhill into the stadium to take 3rd place +1:08.8 on the day and remains third in the overall Tour standings.  Cologna sits just behind him in 4th place in the standings.

Finland's Matti Heikkinen had the Fastest time of the Day again for the second time this season and moved up from 12th in the overall Tour standings after stage three to 5th now after four stages.  Six different nations are represented in the top 6 for the first time in many years with Sweden's Marcus Hellner sitting in 6th place.

The Tour will take a rest day now as the focus shifts to Toblach, Italy for stage 5 of the Tour.

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ATHLETE QUOTES

Sergey Ustiugov (RUS)
Early in the race I did not feel so good. I was watching for Martin to catch me. But when he did not come I decided to go for it. I gave everything I had today.

Martin Johnsrud Sundby (NOR)
It was really tough. At the beginning of the race I felt very good. But then something happened and I lost some seconds on Sergey. I did not ski my best today.

Alex Harvey (CAN)
Dario was very strong. He did a lot of work. I had great fast skis. I knew if I could stay with him on the big climb I could beat him. I used the draft before the finish.

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OFFICIAL RESULTS

MEN 15 km Pursuit

1. USTIUGOV Sergey 1992 RUS 37:58.5
2. SUNDBY Martin 2. Johnsrud 1984 NOR +37.2
3. HARVEY Alex 1988 CAN +1:08.8
4. COLOGNA Dario 1986 SUI +1:09.6
5. HEIKKINEN Matti 1983 FIN +1:45.0

Complete results are available HERE.

TOUR DE SKI STANDINGS - After stage 4

1. USTIUGOV Sergey RUS 1:52:18.1
2. SUNDBY Martin Johnsrud NOR +42.2
3. HARVEY Alex CAN +1:18.8
4. COLOGNA Dario SUI +1:24.6
5. HEIKKINEN Matti FIN +2:00.0

Complete Tour standings are available .

FASTEST OF THE DAY

1. HEIKKINEN Matti 1983 FIN 37:23.0
2. TOENSETH Didrik 1991 NOR +9.9
3. KRUEGER Simen Hegstad MAR 1993 NOR +18.4
4. MANIFICAT Maurice 1986 FRA +18.7
5. COLOGNA Dario 1986 SUI +19.7

Complete results for Fastest of the Day available HERE.