Dmitry Rostovtsev anchors team Russia (Chervotkin, Maltsev, Tarasov, Rostovtsev) to gold medal in 4x5 km Relay. Norway (Suhr, Krueger, Haga, Taugboel) is silver and Sweden (Svensson, Rus, Ivars, Rasmus) goes for bronze.
19 national teams took part in the junior men’s relay competition. Alexey Chervotkin of Russia started the competition according to expectations and arrived at the first exchange with a lead of twenty seconds. Surprisingly, the classic style did not suit Maltsev, and he came fourth to the stadium. Roman Tarasov remedied the situation, and due to his amazing performance caught up fast with the Swede and Norwegian and arrived at the exchange in first place again.
„To win gold medal with the team is always something special. All the boys did their best on their leg so I could control the race but I still wanted to ski fast and secure the victory,“ said member of golden Russian relay Dmitry Rostovtsev.
Haavard Solaas Taugboel (NOR): „I knew Rostovtsev is a tough guy. He is very strong. When I went out after the exchange I wanted to close the gap as soon as possible. I think my first lap was good, but in the second 2.5 km lap he went away so fast, I just did not have enough power. I am satisfied with the silver medal. I have not been in a best shape during the championships, so it is a great satisfaction for us.“
Rasmus Hornfeldt (SWE): „I am very happy for the bronze medal. Everybody did a good job. Everybody gave the best performance of the week so we deserve the medal today. I felt pretty good. I saved same energy for the last uphill!“
Junior Men 4 x 5 km
1. Russia (Chervotkin, Maltsev, Tarasov, Rostovtsev) 45:35,5 min
2. Norway (Suhr, Krueger, Haga, Taugboel) +18,7 s
3. Sweden (Svensson, Ruus, Ivars, Hornfeldt) +52,2
4. France +1:05,1
5. Germany +1:10,2
6. Kazakhstan +1:16,2.
