Oestberg snatches Tour de Ski lead from Johaug

Ingvild Flugstad Oestberg shocked her Norway team-mate Therese Johaug in Lenzerheide, Switzerland to take the lead in the Tour de Ski.

Coming into Sunday’s 5km free technique pursuit event, Oestberg trailed her teammate by 4.5 seconds but by the finish she could boast a 9.3 second advantage.

Both athletes went out at a quick pace but Oestberg had closed the gap at the halfway point and maintained her attack into the closing stages to finish in 13:02.3.

Johaug, who had won seven consecutive World Cup distance competitions ahead of Sunday’s race, surprisingly was unable to answer and eventually came home to place second overall ahead of fellow Norwegian Heidi Weng.

“Now I deserve the red bib,” said Oestberg. “It was really hard today. My legs were really tired at the end.

“It was my plan to catch Therese early and do my best. I am looking forward to the rest day.”

Earlier in the day Martin Johnsrud Sundby extended his lead in the men’s competition.

He began the 10km free technique pursuit with a 1:18 minute lead over Norwegian teammate Petter Northug Jr and by the end, that difference was up to 1:25.2 heading into the first rest day of the Tour.

The fastest time of the day went to Finn Haagen Krogh with 21:20.0 who moved up to third overall behind Sundby on 21:44.7.