Norway’s Han Christer Holund made his play for the world championship gold medal before the lead group of roughly 40 skiers had passed the halfway mark in the men’s 50km mass start.
Holund built a lead of more than a minute over the course of 15km in the final half of the grueling distance race.
With two laps remaining, and the chase pack entering to change skis, a Russian quartet, including 2018 PyeongChang Olympic silver medalist in the 50km mass start, Alexander Bolshunov opted to stay on course to attempt to chase down Holund.