Norway’s Johannes Dale-Skjevdal surged past France’s Eric Perrot on the final uphill of this afternoon’s Ruhpolding Men’s 12.5 km Pursuit, skiing away from his French rival for a 30:23.9 victory. Dale-Skjevdal was never in the top three until he cleaned the final standing stage, leaving the range almost seven seconds behind Perrot; then proceeding to ski past Perrot in the last kilometer for the victory. Today’s win was Dale-Skjevdal’s first victory since winning the same Ruhpolding Pursuit two years and four days ago.

Perrot, with three penalties, finished 4.9 seconds back, Sweden’s Martin Ponsiluoma, with four penalties, moved from seventh after the last standing stage to third, a season best, first podium of the year, 7.5 seconds back.

France’s Fabien Claude, with two penalties also recorded a season best in fourth place, 8.2 seconds back. Italy’s Tommaso Giacomel, with five penalties finished fifth, 8.5 seconds back while Sprint winner Sebastian Samuelsson with four penalties, finished sixth, 12.3 seconds back.

Photos: IBU/Harald Deubert, Yevenko, Nordic Focus