Dario Cologna remains unbeatable as he takes second victory in Otepää. Cologna grabs victory over 15 km Classic. Lukas Bauer takes second place. Devon Kershaw goes for stunning third spot.
Devon Kershaw was today the man to beat as he had an impressive start in the 15 km Classic race. Kershaw was on fire and was leadining at all intermedaite points until 12.5 km mark. Yesterday's sprint winner Dario Cologna started slower and was 3 seconds off the pace at the halfway of the 15 km competition.
Lukas Bauer who came to Otepää on Friday evening and skipped yesterday's sprint said many times Otepää courses suit him very well and he proved he knows the business in Estonia. In spite of having put 12th time at 2.5 km checkpoint he was continuously increasing the pace. Canada's Kershaw was not able to keep the pace as high as in the first half of the competition and Dario Cologna took the lead with 5 km to go.
In the last lap Cologna extended his lead to 19 seconds and 2.5 km to go. Kershaw was still sitting in second place but Lukas Bauer was coming closer to the Canadian and was losing only 8 seconds. It was all about the fight for the second place between the Czech ace and Canadian sensation.
It was Lukas Bauer who prevailed at the end and edged out the Canadian to third place by only a second. Dario Cologna controlled the competition and in 40:12.4 and comfortable margin of +24 seconds came to the finish as the winner.
Dario Cologna SUI
It means a lot for me to win here twice in Otepää. My shape has been perfect. I was especially strong in the last lap. I had a good summer and preparation. First races were not perfect for me but since the Tour I have been in really good shape. It will be difficult to keep these good results. I got information about how Devon was fast. I was focusing on my pace and my own race. I will have a week off. I will be at home in Davos and I will train there. My next start will be in Rybinsk.
Lukas Bauer CZE
I must say I fell in love with Otepää tracks. It was very hard today. I was very surprised at the beginning when I heard Devon was so fast. I was just hoping he cannot keep the high pace all the way through. It was a tough between me and Devon. The key to success was a good kick and skis. I think the difference me and Devon was just I was more lucky today. After Tour de Ski I was totally exhausted. I will skip World Cup in Rybinsk. I will be training two weeks and take part in the Czech nationals. Then I will start at the World Cup in Nove Mesto
Devon Kershaw CAN
I felt super today. For sure I started little bit too hard, but I was very motivated after I broke the pole in yesterday's qualifier. I am really happy to finish third today. I really love the course here and I personally think it is the hardest classical course on the World Cup. The strongest and fits guy wins, there is now hiding on this course, it tests your shape. It feels really great to be on third after fourth place at Tour de Ski and Davos sprint. My personal goal is to be better in Falun because I have been every time so bad at World Cup final.
