For Alexander Bolshunov the Tour de Ski has "just begun"

After yesterdays interval start, the young Russian had set himself a 29 second gap to the leading Sergey Ustiugov but knew his strength for the first Classic race of todays 4th stage of the Coop FIS Cross-Country Tour de Ski performance by Le Gruyère AOP.

Bolshunov, Ustiugov and the Swede Calle Halfvarsson set the pace throughout the 15km of the courses in Toblach (ITA). The trio was chased by Hans Christer Holund from Norway who, however, had no direct competitor around him and therefore had to take himself back for the second part of the race. Holund joined the following group with Niskanen (FIN), Maltsev (RUS), Roethe (NOR) and Boegl (GER) who chased the leading trio with a gap of around 25 seconds.

8.5 km into the race, Alexander Bolshunov started to pull away from his successors and showed once more a powerful and determined focus on the victory. Ustiugov who had a comfortable starting position still had to fight through the race to keep the top-place but could not make up the 13.7 seconds that he lost on Bolshunov at the finish of the race.

The third podium spot was taken by Iivo Niskanen who was rewarded for an outstanding performance during todays race. Niskanen secured himself a save spot in the following group throughout the race but burst out of the group in the final stretch, performing by far the fastest sector time and thus securing the place on the podium behind Bolshunov and Ustiugov.

Click here for all results and standings.

Heading into the final venue of the 14th edition of the Tour de Ski, the standings remain open and we are looking forward for the final stages decided by exciting races. The FIS Cross-Country family leaves Toblach after racing the 99th stage of the legendary Tour de Ski and is heading towards Val di Fiemme.