Cologna ensures the preliminary decision in the classic Cortina-Toblach

Cologna started the 32-kilometer distance race with a handicap start in the free cross-country skiing technique in Cortina with a lead of 13 seconds over Petter Northug (Norway) and 1.28 minutes over the Russian Alexander Legkov. The Swiss ran at a high pace from the start, Northug dropped back and then tried to make up ground with Legkov on the overall leader. But Cologna gradually increased their lead in the first section of the route and led the duo by 18,5 minutes at kilometer 1.30 - the so-called Dreizinnen-Blick.

Cologna even took a wrong turn during this interim, but this mishap didn't throw the 25-year-old Swiss off track either. Shortly afterwards, Northug and Legkov were caught by the chasing group Marcus Hellner, Devon Kershaw and Maurice Manificat and now the quintet tried to build steam together. At the next split at kilometer 22,7, Cologna's lead over the group of five was still 1.28 minutes and at kilometer 27,8 it was exactly one and a half minutes again.

The two-time overall Tour de Ski winner, who lives not far from the South Tyrolean border in Münstertal and who also celebrated a solo victory last year, reached the finish after 1:09.25,2 hours.

On the final loop, Cologna's pursuers were able to make up a little time. Northug arrived 1.15,8:1.16,4 minutes behind and came in second, Alexander Legkov ended up in third place (+1.20,8:XNUMX). Due to a time credit, Cologna's lead in the overall standings over Northug is XNUMX:XNUMX minutes.

Before the final stages in Fiemme Valley, the die seems to have been cast in the fight for overall victory in this year's Tour de Ski. Cologna is on the verge of its third triumph in the most important stage race in cross-country skiing. “I had to work a lot today and the last lap in the stadium in particular was brutally exhausting. A lead of 1.20 minutes is of course a nice cushion, but I don't think the Tour de Ski has been decided yet. I have to stay focused in the last two races too, because a minute can quickly be wasted. I think that Petter Northug will continue to be my worst opponent,” said Cologna at the finish.

Roland Clara gained ten places From a South Tyrolean perspective, too, the last men's race of the three-day Tour de Ski spectacle in Toblach was a success. With a courageous performance, Thomas Moriggl and Roland Clara fought their way to positions 21 and 22. The man from Reischach only lost 26 seconds to Cologna and gained ten places in the overall standings. David Hofer finished the race in 27th place and Dietmar Nöckler in 46th place.

The Tour de Ski in Dobbiaco ends in the afternoon with the 15 kilometer distance race with a handicap start for women. It starts at 15.30:XNUMX p.m.

Results Tour de Ski Toblach (January 5, 2012)

Cortina-Toblach, 32 km men

1. Dario Cologna (SUI) 1:09:25.2 2. Petter Jr. Northug (NOR).+1:15.8 3. Alexander Legkov (RUS) +1:16.4 4. Devon Kershaw (CAN) +1:16.8 5. Marcus Hellner (SWE) +1:17.2 6. Maurice Magnficat (FRA) +1:18.3 7. Ilia Chernousov (RUS) +2:51.4 8. Lukas Bauer (CZE) +2:51.8 9. Alex Harvey (CAN) +2:52.8 10. Maxim Vylegzhanin (RUS) +2.56,3

14. Giorgio Di Centa (ITA) +3.04,4 19. Fabio Pasini (ITA) +4.39,4 21. Thomas Moriggl (ITA) +5.48,2 22. Roland Clara (ITA) +5.49,0 27. David Hofer (ITA) +6.32,2 46. Dietmar Nöckler (ITA) +9.06,2 retired: Valerio Checchi (ITA) abandoned: Fulvio Scola (ITA) retired: Federico Pellegrino (ITA)

Overall ranking Tour de Ski after seven of the nine stages 1. Dario Cologna (SUI) 3:02:56.6 2. Petter Jr. Northug (NOR).+1:20.8 3. Alexander Legkov (RUS) +1:26.4 4. Devon Kershaw (CAN) +1:31.8 5. Marcus Hellner (SWE) +1:32.2 6. Maurice Magnficat (FRA) +1:33.3 7. Ilia Chernousov (RUS) +3:06.4 8. Lukas Bauer (CZE) +3:06.8 9. Alex Harvey (CAN) +3:07.8 10. Maxim Vylegzhanin (RUS) +3.11,3 14. Giorgio Di Centa (ITA) +3.19,4 19. Fabio Pasini (ITA) +4.54,4 21. Thomas Moriggl (ITA) +6.03,2 22. Roland Clara (ITA) +6.04,0 27. David Hofer (ITA) +6.47,2 46. Dietmar Nöckler (ITA) +9.21,2

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Cologna ensures the preliminary decision in the classic Cortina-Toblach

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