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Press Release 4^th January 2019

AN UNMISSABLE WEEKEND IN VAL DI FIEMME 
WITH TOUR DE SKI
KLAEBO – USTIUGOV: A BATTLE 
BETWEEN TWO BIG ATHLETES

Tour de Ski on Saturday and Sunday in Val di Fiemme
On Saturday the Mass Start races in classic technique, on Sunday the Final Climb in free technique
Klaebo will be on the start line given his good ranking position, Oestberg is the favourite, 
but anything could happen

"The time has come" - the Walrus said, quoting a poem by the British Lewis Carroll. The fifth of the seven scheduled stages is now over and we can focus on the epic final of Tour de Ski 2019, which will take place as always in Val di Fiemme. This time it will be a 'return' to Italy after the first stage of Dobbiaco and the mid-stages in Switzerland and Germany. Tomorrow 5^th January, the program foresees the traditional Mass Start in classic technique of 10 km for women (2 pm) and 15 km for men (3.10 pm), while on Sunday 6^th January there will be the Final Climb on Alpe Cermis, a 9 km race in free technique (1 pm for the ladies pursuit, 2.45 pm for the men pursuit): the last 3.5 km are all uphill with peaks of almost 30% slope, with an average of 12% and a difference in height of 420 meters. The Italian eyes are all on Francesco De Fabiani, given his latest results in Germany with a second and a sixth place. Dreaming is possible, especially tomorrow at the Mass Start. On Sunday everything could happen and those who have burned off less energy during these close stages will have the chance to win. De Fabiani is sixth, even if Kruger - on 5^th position - has given up. He will have to perform a feat in order to relive the glory of Giorgio Di Centa (3^rd in 2008). But he is in a very good shape and he has an excellent relation with the track of the Cross-Country Stadium in Lago di Tesero. Recovering positions will not be easy, given the opponents including the excellent Russian Bolshunov who is in third position. The phenomenon Johannes Høsflot Klæbo, who has always been said to give up from the very beginning of the Tour, is convinced by the 'circumstances' (victories) to continue and is now more determined than ever to achieve a success that is missing in an already exceptional series of victories, with three Olympic gold medals at just 22 years old.
Ustiugov, the opponent of the young Norwegian, who is at his debut on the Final Climb, dominated Cermis in 2017 and is currently second at 5". But it is important not to underestimate the various Sundby and Cologna, given their experience and their series of victories on Cermis. With regard to the women's race, it could finally be the time of Ingvild Oestberg, whose dreams of glory have been swept away over the years by Johaug (absent) and then by Weng (in late condition). The opponents? Nepryaeva, second, while Diggins, Belorukova and Parmakoski will fight for a place on the podium. Tomorrow's stage will provide the gaps with which the athletes will have to start facing the Final Climb on the Olimpia III ski slope; the couple currently commanded by Klaebo on Ustiugov is almost paired, while the third position of Alexander Bolshunov is well established even if more than a minute behind the first. Natalia Nepryaeva follows Ingvild Oestberg by more than 35 seconds, Diggins by 1 minute 22 seconds while the others are more behind. This year Heidi Weng has the role of 'loose cannon', with a gap of 3 minutes 15 seconds from Oestberg. These gaps could be confirmed or upset after the Mass Start. What is certain is that there will be an exciting final of this thirteenth Tour de Ski. It is an edition that is more than ever full of wild cards, from Klaebo's debut to the possibility of a comeback of the monsters Cologna and Sundby, or the experience of Ustiugov to prevail over the youth of Klaebo which has made him run into some mistakes this season, even if always accompanied by his usual performances, without forgetting the mighty Bolshunov. The female scenario is more outlined: Oestberg has a clear path in front of her, but much will depend on tomorrow, even if the gaps are 'easily' recoverable on Cermis, especially once the leading athletes run out of energies. The competition of cross-country skiing and world sport par excellence is ready to start; don’t miss it along the tracks between Lago di Tesero and Alpe Cermis or on your couch at home on live TV. 

For further information: www.fiemmeworldcup.com