Photo Gallery: World Championships Men’s 4×10 k Relay

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Italy's Dietmar Noeckler and Sweden's Daniel Richardsson take the first turn at the lead.

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A packed stadium cheers the men up the first climb.

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Richardsson still out front on the second lap.

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Under the bridge.

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Poland's Maciej Kreczmer briefly in front.

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Tord Asle Gjerdalen (NOR) steps out of the tracks.

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It was a slushy 50 degrees F for the men's relay.

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Final lap of the first leg.

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Richardsson and Evgeniy Belov lead the train.

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Andy Newell (USA).

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Lenny Valjas (CAN).

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Hannes Dotzler attempts a breakaway.

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The second classic leg: Eldar Roenning and Tobias Angerer lead.

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Maxim Vylegzhanin (RUS) sets the pace.

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A deafening roar spurs skiers up the climb.

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Second leg, second lap.

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Vylegzhanin and Angerer.

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Angerer breaks wind.

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Second leg, beginning of third lap.

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Kris Freeman (USA) in front.

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The second exchange: Switzerland's Dario Cologna tags off to Toni Livers.

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Italy's Roland Clara fights for the lead.

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Clara leading Sjur Roethe (NOR).

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Still the third leg: Marcus Hellner (SWE) checks his competition.

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Alexander Legkov (RUS) and Hellner make a small breakaway.

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Only to lose it after the exchange. Sergey Ustiugov (RUS) takes the front before the pace slowed way down.

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Sweden's Calle Halfvarsson on Russia's tails, with Petter Northug, Jr., in the hunt.

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Japan's Akira Lenting attempts to bridge the gap; France and USA behind him.

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Final leg, beinning of the second lap: USA's Tad Elliott has closed in on the crawling leaders within his first three kilometers.

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The lead group reaches the top of the climb out of the stadium.

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Through the stadium for the last time before the finish, Northug assesses.

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Elliott and Finland's Matti Heikkinen just off the pace.

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Big surprise: Northug and Halfvarsson will sprint it out.

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Northug toys with him.

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"I get what I want," Northug later told the NRK.

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Roenning and Gjerdalen greet their anchor.

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Roenning hoists Northug.

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Halfvarsson.

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Sweden and Norway shake hands in the finish pen.

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Roethe, Northug, Roenning and Gjerdalen wave to the hoards of Norwegian fans in the bleachers.

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1. NOR, 2. SWE, 3. RUS.