Canada's Devon Kershaw grabs stage victory in Toblach

Tour de Ski

Wed, Jan  5, 2011 - By FIS

Devon Kershaw (CAN) won against the overall Tour de Ski leader, Dario Cologna (SUI) by attacking in the last hill. Petter Northug (NOR) could not keep up with Kershaw and finished third.

For Kershaw is today's victory the first one on the international World Cup level. He was close to his personal best already in Oberstdorf but he was edged out by a tip of a toe by Emil Joensson. Today Kershaw payed back and besides the stage win he will start in tomorrow's A to B stage from Cortina to Toblach as runner up behind Tour leader Dario Cologna.

Cologna leads the overall men's Tour standing, by 42.8 seconds ahead to Kershaw. On third position is Marcus Hellner (SWE), who got fourth today (+1.12.1min). In the Tour sprint ranking, Cologna has the lead with 2:43min, Hellner is second, 2.16min and Devon Kershaw is on third position 2:11min.

Quotes

Devon Kershaw (CAN):

"I'm more than happy, I'm completely surprised to be honest. I felt great today, I had amazing skis, and I think everybody around Europe saw that today. I did another "suicide" move, just like I did in Oberstdorf, but this time, I can't believe my legs worked so long as they were filled with lactates in the end, but I am just so happy to pull it off. Today everything came together, and I could take my very first victory.

There are still 3 really though stages left, and Cologna keeps medaling every single day, so it is quite hard to beat him. I'm just trying to focus and recover well. I'm absolutely nervous about tomorrow, it's a really difficult stage, but I hope to be able to fall asleep tonight".

Dario Cologna (SUI):

"Maybe the other guys are more tired than me. It was a really hard qualification today, and after I felt very good. I'm happy with the second place and again many bonus seconds to me. Kershaw is a really good skier, in all disciplines. I think Tour de Ski is the perfect competition for him. I think the next 3 competitions will be challenging. I have no other choice than go in my own speed tomorrow. I will see how big the gap is after a few kilometres and then see what happens during the race"