Italy's Francesco De Fabiani has won his first World Cup with his victory in the 15 km classic interval start in Lahti, Finland. It was also his first ever World cup podium. In second place +3.0 seconds behind De Fabiani's winning time of 34:51.2 was Kazakhstan's Alexey Poltoranin. It was Poltoranin's 21st career World Cup podium. In third for his second podium of the year was Finland's Sami Jauhojaervi +4.6 seconds back. Both podiums for Jauhojaervi this season have come on home tracks in Ruka and now Lahti both in 15 km classic interval start.

With a 10th place finish today Martin Johnsrud Sundby of Norway has won his second consecutive Overall World Cup title. With just 290 points still available Sundby leads Petter Northug Jr who sits in second by 322 points. The Overall Distance Cup is still open with Dario Cologna leading by by 83 points ahead of Sundby. Cologna was 5th today and gained valuable points with 190 remaining.

ATHLETE QUOTES

Francesco De Fabiani, ITA
I was very motivated to show my best today after a disappointing performance in the 50 km in Falun last week. It is great to win a first World Cup. I was lucky today. I skied with Lukas Bauer two laps and he helped me a lot to win the race today.

Alexey Poltoranin, KAZ
I am happy to be back on the podium. I was not satisfied with my performance at the World Championships. Today was a difficult race. I was in the lead in the halfway of the race but then I could not keep the speed.

Sami Jauhojärvi, FIN
I’m quite satisfied with the result but still little bit disappointed I lost the victory by only 4.6 seconds. I was hoping to be sitting in the leader’s chair until the end of the competition. I did three quite equal laps. Only on the big climb in the the second lap I was in trouble and I lost about 6 seconds. Then I got a ride with Dario Cologna and I tried to follow him.

OFFICIAL RESULTS - Men's 15 km classic

1. DE FABIANI Francesco ITA 34:51.2
2. POLTORANIN Alexey KAZ +3.0
3. JAUHOJAERVI Sami FIN +4.6
4. NYENGET Martin Loewstroem NOR +6.5
5. COLOGNA Dario SUI +9.7

Complete results are available HERE.

OVERALL WORLD CUP STANDINGS

1. Martin Johnsrud Sundby NOR 1244 pts

2. Petter Northug Jr. NOR 922 pts

3. Dario Cologna SUI 921 pts

OVERALL DISTANCE STANDINGS

1. Dario Cologna SUI 659 pts

2. Martin Johnsrud Sundby NOR 576 pts

3. Evegeniy Belov RUS 427 pts

Source: fis-ski.com