Powerful Germans too good

Germany displayed their formidable strength in depth to take a resounding victory in the men's 4x10km relay in Gaellivare. World Cup champion Tobias Angerer made a decisive break on the third leg, leading home Russia and the Czech Republic.

Franz Goering of Germany (L) and Lukas Bauer of Czech Republic compete during the Men's 4x10km race at the FIS World Cup Cross Country in Gallivare, Sweden, November 19, 2006. Germany's team won the competition, Russia was placed second Czech Republic third. NORWAY OUT SWEDEN OUT DENMARK OUT NO THIRD PARTY SALES REUTERS/Anders Wiklund/Scanpix (SWEDEN)

Norway trailed in a disappointing fourth despite the efforts of Ole Einar Bjoerndalen.

Four Germans finished in the top ten of the individual 15km freestyle on Saturday, and that quartet showed their class over the relay course.

A second 'reserve' German team managed to come sixth - ahead of the likes of Sweden and Finland - completing a remarkable day for the country.

After a fairly cagey first two legs of classic style racing, the first freestyle section saw a trio break away from the pack, with Angerer, Jiri Magal and Alexander Legkov effectively sealing the podium positions for Germany, the Czechs and Russians.

Bjoerndalen, who won the individual event on Saturday - took over with Norway nearly a minute off the pace, and despite making slight inroads could not salvage a disappointing outing for his country.

After a bright start, Sweden faded alarmingly while France and Kazakhstan will be pleased with their fifth- and seventh-placed finished respectively.

Eurosport - Alex Chick - 19/11/2006 16:58

Bjoergen brings it home for Norway

A dominant anchor leg from Marit Bjoergen gave Norway victory in the mixed 4x5km relay at Gaellivare. The reigning World Cup champion eased away from her German and Finnish rivals, while Katerina Neumannova sealed fourth for the Czech Republic.

A strong Norwegian squad led for the first half of the race - skiied in classic style before reverting to freestyle - with Vibeke Skofterud and Hilde Pedersen opening a handy margin.

But a stunning third-leg charge from Finland's Riitta Liisa Roponen and Germany's Evi Sachenbacher reeled in the Norwegians, as the three nations went into the final changeover covered by less than a second.

Bjoergen made her move on a steep uphill section, hitting the front to leave her rivals trailing.

Aino Kaisa Saarinen fell on a downhill right-hand corner to end the Finnish bid, while Germany's Claudia Kuenzel fought doggedly to claim second, 9.3 seconds back.

Neumannova's brilliant late salvo saw the Czechs carve their way up the top ten into fourth, while Russia and Italy trailed in fifth and sixth respectively.

Norway extend their lead in the Nations Cup standings, with close to 700 points - nearly double the tally of their closest rivals Norway.

Eurosport - AC - 19/11/2006 13:51

Neumannova destroys Gaellivare field

Katerina Neumannova staked her claim for Marit Bjoergen's World Cup title with a dominant victory in the 10km victory at Gaellivare. The 33-year-old Czech lit up the course in Swedish Lapland, destroying a world-class field with a time of 24:19.9.

Estonia's Kristina Smigun trailed in a distant second, nearly 25 seconds back, with Bjoergen mounting the bottom step of the podium with a gutsy third place.

The Ukrainian veteran Valentina Shevchenko was edged out of the top three at the last, having to make do with fourth place.

The winding, undulating Gaellivare course presented a tough challenge, but Neumannova's sheer strength and endurance saw her go quickest at each split.

Bjoergen remains top of the early points standings after a superb opening weekend in Dusseldorf, but Neumannova showed she will be the skier to beat over longer distances.

Despite its position within the Arctic Circle, a relatively mild autumn meant organisers had to lay artificial snow.

That was augmented by a dusting of genuine snow, and the imposing cloud cover threatened more precipitation during the men's 15km freestyle race, which followed the women's event.

Eurosport - Alex Chick - 18/11/2006 13:35

Bjoerndalen stuns cross-country elite

Biathlon specialist Ole Einar Bjoerndalen produced a stunning performance in Gaellivare to win the cross-country 15km sprint. Despite leaving his rifle at home, the Norwegian legend managed to blow away the cream of the World Cup for a remarkable victory.

Ole Einar Bjorndalen of Norway competes to win the men's 15km F at the premiere of the World Cup Cross Country Skiing in Gallivare, Sweden November 18, 2006. SWEDEN OUT NORWAY OUT DENMARK OUT NO THIRD PARTY SALES NO ARCHIVES REUTERS/Anders Wiklund/Scanpix (SWEDEN)

While the elite skiers started in their typical late positions, Bjoerndalen was 11th out of the gate given his complete lack of previous cross-country pedigree.

Having boasted of being in the best shape of his life, the 32-year-old started steadily before making good on his assertion.

Bjoerndalen showed his experience with perfect pacing. Just 64th over the first 1.7km and 27th over the first 5km, he accelerated his pace in a devastating second half of the race.

The five-time Olympic gold medallist breasted the tape in 33:05.6 and then watched on as skier after skier wilted in the latter stages as they attempted to keep up with his blistering pace.

The final margin of victory was 23.3 seconds ahead of his compatriot Tore Ruud Hofstad, with Franz Goering taking the bottom step of the podium.

Four Germans made the top ten, including defending World Cup champion Tobias Angerer, who finished eighth and will be slightly embarrassed at being so outclassed by a biathlete.

Lars Berger struck another blow for the biathletes with an impressive fifth place, but the day belonged to Bjoerndalen.

Eurosport - Alex Chick - 18/11/2006 20:13

Tobias Angerer (R) of Germany gets a new pole from a bystander in the 15km freestyle individual race at the FIS World Cup in Gallivare, Sweden, November 18, 2006. Angerer was placed 8th. DENMARK OUT NORWAY OUT SWEDEN OUT NO THIRD PARTY SALES REUTERS/Anders Wiklund/Scanpix (SWEDEN)

Jens Filbrich of Germany, center, and Nikolai Pankratov, left, of Russia encounter a stuffed reindeer on the first leg of the men's 4x10km relay at the FIS World Cup Cross Country premiere in Gallivare, Sweden, Sunday, Nov.

Katerina Neumannova of Czech Republic competes to win the women's 10km F at the premiere of the World Cup Cross Country Skiing in Gallivare, Sweden November 18, 2006. SWEDEN OUT NORWAY OUT DENMARK OUT NO THIRD PARTY SALES NO ARCHIVES REUTERS/Anders Wiklund/Scanpix (SWEDEN)

Marit Bjoergen of Norway skis to third place during the FIS World Cup, 10km freestyle individual race, in Gallivare, Sweden November 18, 2006. SWEDEN OUT NORWAY OUT DENMARK OUT NO THIRD PARTY SALES REUTERS/Anders Wiklund/Scanpix (SWEDEN)

(L-R) Kristina Smigun of Estonia, Katerina Neumannova of the Czech Republic and Marit Bjoergen of Norway celebrate on the podium at the FIS World Cup, women's 10km freestyle individual race in Gallivare November 18, 2006. Neumannova was placed first, Smigun second and Bjoergen third. SWEDEN OUT DENMARK OUT NORWAY OUT NO THIRD PARTY SALES REUTERS/Anders Wiklund/Scanpix (SWEDEN)