Quebecer takes third in Tour de Ski pursuit race
Norway keeps overall lead in Italy
ITALY — Another podium finish for Canadian Alex Harvey on Friday.
Harvey, of St-Ferréol-lesNeiges, finished third in the gruelling 35-kilometre freestyle pursuit. The race was fifth of seven stages in the Tour de Ski circuit.
Harvey, 25, started 35 seconds behind leader Martin Johnsrud Sundby of Norway. He tucked himself into a group of seven athletes, conserving energy for the first 18-kilometre-high-speed-climb on the mountain pass before the descent into Toblach.
“My plan was to fight for dear life and hang on to that group,” Harvey said. “It went a lot easier on the climb than I thought.
“It’s a unique race that we only do once a year and you really never know how far in you are. It is a challenge mentally and fun to chase people down and form little groups.”
Harvey also won gold in the prologue race at the Tour opener in Oberhof, Germany and was second in the sprint race in Lenzerheide, Switzerland. With heavy snow and warm conditions projected for the 10-kilometre classicski race in Val di Fiemme, Italy on Saturday, recovery will be critical for the final two stages.
“I’m really happy with how things went,” said Harvey, who is third in the overall standings. “Heading into the Tour I was hoping for a few Top 5 finishes, but to be in the Top 3 overall the whole way is exciting.”
Johnsrud Sundby won the race to increase his overall lead, showing he’ll be a medal contender at next month’s Sochi Olympics. Sundby posted a time of one hour, 20 minutes, 18.7 seconds.
Compatriot Petter Northug beat Harvey in a sprint for second, finishing 58.2 seconds behind Johnsrud Sundby. Harvey was third, 58.7 behind.
“I tried to keep a steady pace,” Sundby said. “Luckily I had a good day and was able to keep the gap.”