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After three out of seven stages, Alexander Bolshunov consolidates his great favorite. Sunday’s victory at the start of the hunt, the last race in the Swiss Val Müstair, means that the Russian has started the Tour de Ski with two first places and one second place, and the reigning champion leads by far, 53 seconds per ahead of his compatriot Artem Maltsev, who was second at the finish.
The main effort today, however, was the Maurice Manificat. The Frenchman finished seventh, 1.37 behind Bolshunov, but moved up to third place, and is now just 1.07 behind the leader.
For Swedes It was gratifying to see Calle Halfvarsson take revenge after two weak stages. The 31-year-old had one of his best races of the season as he climbed from 23rd to 15. Halfvarsson is just three minutes behind Alexander Bolshunov overall.
It was not so joyous for Oskar Svensson, who was third before Sunday. Svensson had a rough day and finished 23rd, and is now 3.27 behind.
The tour then continues to Italy and Toblach, where the men will have a 15-kilometer freestyle on Tuesday.
