Lukas Bauer (CZE) now leads the Tour de Ski by 2:07.3, after winning today's 15K individual start classic race by 27.8 seconds, and earning 25 bonus seconds as well. Jens Arne Svartedal (NOR) finished second, rising to 6th in the overall standings, and Nikolai Pankratov (RUS) finished third, leaving him in 19th place overall. Tord Arle Gjerdalen's (NOR) 18th place finish has lifted him into 2nd overall, and Pietro Piller Cottrer (ITA) remains in third. The Tour has a day off tomorrow, and athletes will travel to Asiago, Italy. Stage 6 – a freestyle sprint – will be held on January 4th.
After Stage 5, Top 5 Overall:
Lukas Bauer (CZE) 2:02:04.0
Tord Asle Gjerdalen (NOR) 2:04:11.3
Pietro Piller Cottrer (ITA) 2:04:36.8
Rene Sommerfeldt (GER) 2:04:43.3
Emmanuel Jonnier (FRA) 2:04:45.7
A Quote from Bauer:
“The race today was very successful, but like every race, also very tough. Directly from the start, I had only one idea; I want to win and with as many seconds as possible. Now I'm looking forward to some regeneration and as much sleep as possible. I want to fight for victory. I am two minutes ahead now, but anything is possible, it's still the person who gets first on the top that wins.”
SOURCE: FIS
