Tour de Ski XC-Predictions: Stage 3
Stage 2 was a tricky stage: Teichmann’s victory was unexpected – and Bjørgen performed poorer/Johaug stronger than many expected. Thus the best in the predictions today – Northug_Viker_Ner_Sig – got only 666 points – 15 points ahead of Piotr with Skogs-Ola in third.
In the overall predictions, Piotr has taken a clear lead after two very good races. With 1334 points he is 59(!) points ahead of Sofia in 2nd with Irina in 3rd. But still 8 races to go – so a lot can happen!
- Results XC-Predictions Stage 2
- Set up your predictions for Stage 3
- Tour de Ski 2011/2012 Overall prediction results
Stage 3 Preview
As Northug said in an interview after finishing second on Stage 2 of Tour de Ski: It is with the sprint in Oberstdorf on Stage 3 the Tour really starts. The time differences among the biggest favourites ahead of the first sprint stage are not too big; with 60 bonus seconds for the winner in the sprint, this will be very important for the overall Tour. This is were the skiers who perform well in both sprint and distance races can get ahead of the pure distance racers. Can Johaug, Bauer, Manificat and the other distance experts get some bonus seconds in the Oberstdorf sprint…?
Men
Of the overall favourites, Northug and Cologna are the ones who will also fight in the top in the sprint. In addition, there are the special sprinters fighting for glory only in the sprints – who might have saved some energy for the sprint stages. Jönsson is probably the biggest favourite – with Hattestad and Pethukov also being among the big favourites. The skiers are getting tired after two stages – this might be an advantage for the distance skiers – or the special sprinters who did not give it all in the Pursuit race in Oberhof. Jönsson won last year ahead of Kershaw with Cologna in third. This was the race which might have cost Northug the overall tour victory in the 2010/2011 edition of Tour de Ski.
Results Oberstdorf Classic sprint TdS 2010/2011:
02.01.2011: Sprint Classic Final Interval start, Oberstdorf, GER
| 1. | JOENSSON Emil |  |
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| 2. | KERSHAW Devon |  |
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| 3. | COLOGNA Dario |  |
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| 4. | OESTENSEN Simen |  |
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| 5. | PETUKHOV Alexey |  |
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| 6. | LEGKOV Alexander | |
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| 7. | HARVEY Alex | |
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| 8. | HELLNER Marcus | |
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| 9. | MODIN Jesper | |
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| 10. | JAPAROV Dmitriy | |
Women
The two overall Tour favourites Bjørgen and Kowalczyk are the big favourites in the sprint as well – but don’t forget Randall who has performed very well so far in the tour and thus is in great shape. Sprint specialists Visnar and Falla have a lot to fight for in the sprints – and might have saved some energy for the race in Oberstdorf. One thing is for sure: We will have a different winner compared to last year.
Results Oberstdorf Classic sprint TdS 2010/2011:
02.01.2011: Sprint Classic Final Interval start, Oberstdorf, GER
| 1. | MAJDIC Petra |  |
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| 2. | KOWALCZYK Justyna |  |
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| 3. | JACOBSEN Astrid Uhrenholdt | |
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| 4. | PROCHAZKOVA Alena |  |
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| 5. | IVANOVA Julia | |
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| 6. | SAARINEN Aino- Kaisa |  |
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| 7. | OESTBERG Ingvild Flugstad | |
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| 8. | LONGA Marianna |  |
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| 9. | GENUIN Magda | |
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| 10. | NATSUMI Madoka |  |
