CROSS COUNTRY, TOUR DE SKI. Dario Cologna was unbeatable on the sixth stage of Tour de Ski and won his fifth Tour de Ski stage victory. Dario Cologna raced the entire stage from Cortina to Toblach by himself in front of the big bunch and managed to keep the others behind him. He increased his gap to the second throughout the 35 km,  could ski alone on the stadium and celebrate his fifth Tour de Ski stage victory. Marcus Hellner (SWE) started 1:14:1 behind Cologna, and 32 seconds behind Devon Kershaw (CAN) but overtook the Canadian right before passing 12.7 km. Hellner kept his position as number two to the end, and came in to the finish line 1:06:03 behind Cologna. Petter Northug (NOR) captured the third position out of a big group, 1:40 behind.

Switzerland's Dario Cologna competes on his way to win a Tour de Ski, cross-country men's World Cup 35-kilometer race from Cortina to Dobbiaco, Italy, Thursday, Jan. 6, 2011. (AP Photo/Elvis Piazzi)

There was never any doubt that Cologna would not win the sixth stage of Tour de Ski. He kept a nice pace and rythm from the very beginning. A few kilometers after Marcus Hellner overtook Devon Kershaw, a group of seven, mostly led my Lukas Bauer (CZE) and Petter Northug (NOR), overtook Kershaw as well. The group managed to decrease the gap to Hellner for for the two next intermediate points, but lost again in the final loop on the stadium. Martin Jaks (CZE) came in fourth, Alex Harvey (CAN) fifth, Curdin Perl (SUI) sixth and Daniel Rickardsson (SWE) seventh.

Alexander Legkov, fifth in the overall Tour de Ski standing before todays race did not start due to illness.

Cologna increase his lead in the overall Tour standing, leading now thanks to the bonus second in the finish by 1:11:3 seconds ahead of Marcus Hellner. Petter Northug, Martin Jaks, Daniel Rickardsson, Curdin Perl, Alex Harvey, Matti Heikkinen and Jean Marc Gaillard are all behind with a  time frame of 1:49:9 to 1:51:1.

In the sprint ranking, Cologna is leading 32 seconds ahead of Marcus Hellner.

Switzerland's Dario Cologna celebrates after winning a Tour de Ski, cross-country men's 35-kilometer race from Cortina to Dobbiaco, Italy, Thursday, Jan. 6, 2011. (AP Photo/Armando Trovati)

Dario Cologna: "It was very though, as it was a long way alone, I think I had a good speed from the start which was not too fast which gave me enough energy for the last kilometres of downhill. I was really tired when I finished, I had to fight hard. I am of course happy that I have an advantage for the last two stages.

I had to go in my own speed although my coaches told me Lukas Bauer and his group increased their speed. Luckily they lost time again in the end. I think the 20 km in Val di Fiemme will be important with loads of bonus seconds. I will do my best to rest well tomorrow and bring my shape to Val di Fiemme".

FIScrosscountry.com
Thursday 6 January 2011

Justyna Kowalczyk wins her third Tour de Ski stage

Justyna Kowalczyk (POL) won the 15 km Pursuit in Toblach today. Leading the entire race, she could celebrate her third Tour de Ski stage win and continue to lead the overall Tour de Ski. Kowalczyk started the 15 km long Pursuit 39.1 seconds ahead of Petra Majdic. She was never in any danger of loosing her position, and could finally ski in winning the sixth stage of Tour de Ski with a lead of 22.2 seconds. Second position was won by Arianna Follis (ITA) and third by Marianna Longa (ITA). Charlotte Kalla (SWE) finished fourth, and Petra Majdic finished fifth, 36.4 seconds behind Kowalczyk.

Poland's Justyna Kowalczyk competes on her way to win a Tour de Ski, cross-country women's World Cup 15-kilometer race from Cortina to Dobbiaco, Italy, Thursday, Jan. 6, 2011. (AP Photo/Armando Trovati)

Petra Majdic had a though race today, and was overtaken by Kalla, Follis and Longa after 11 km. They skied together until the last 3 km, where Majdic once again had to let them go. The gap down to Kowalczyk decreased by every kilometer, but Kowalczyk kept her position. Follis, Longa and Kalla were fighting to the bitter end, sprinting the last 50 metres, but the Italians worked great as a team and beat Kalla. Anna Haag (SWE) finished 6th, 3.6 seconds ahead of Krista Lahteenmaki (FIN).

Kowalczyk is still leading the overall Tour standing with 27.2 seconds ahead of Follis. Longa and Kalla are right behind her with 32.6 and 38.7 seconds, slightly ahead of Majdic (51.4 seconds).

Poland's Justyna Kowalczyk celebrates after winning a Tour de Ski, cross-country women's World Cup 15-kilometer race from Cortina to Dobbiaco, Italy, Thursday, Jan. 6, 2011. (AP Photo/Armando Trovati)

Justyna Kowalczyk: "It was a really  hard race and I am satisfied. I hope the next race in Val di Fiemme will be OK as well, and then there is only Alpe Cermis left. Last years race in Val di Fiemme was not good for me, I hope this year
will be better.

Kalla, Follis, Longa, Majdic and Lahteenmaki are all contenders that can win Tour de Ski, but I hope I can beat them".

FIScrosscountry.com
Thursday 6 January 2011