Jules Lapierre 2nd in Val di Fiemme mass-start; Johannes Klæbo sets record with fifth Tour de Ski title

In the brutal Val di Fiemme climb in Italy (average 24%, up to 28% in places), Norwegian Mattis Stenshagen — third in the World Cup overall standings — won with an impressive finishing kick on the final stage of the Tour de Ski. He battled until the end with Frenchman Jules Lapierre (30), who took second place.

Although Johannes Klæbo led the race early on, the duo Stenshagen–Lapierre soon broke clear of the main group. On the steepest ramps, the Saint-Hugues-de-Chartreuse (Isère) native — already winner at Val di Fiemme in 2024 and third in 2023 — launched an attack 800 m from the line. Stenshagen, however, was stronger in the finish and prevailed by six seconds over Lapierre.

“Overall it wasn’t a Tour de Ski that suited me perfectly, with many classic formats and a Toblach course lacking in vertical,” Lapierre said after the race. “There were good moments, on the Toblach skate and on today’s race. It’s encouraging for what comes next.”

Klæbo record

Accustomed to managing this climb even though it is not exactly his speciality, Klæbo finished 12th on the stage, 58 seconds back, but nevertheless established a new record: the most Tour de Ski overall titles (5), surpassing Switzerland’s Dario Cologna. The Norwegian star and quintuple Olympic champion started the final climb with a comfortable lead — 1'23" over Lars Heggen and 1'30" over Stenshagen — thanks to three previous stage wins.

He nevertheless endured a scare when Stenshagen closed fifty seconds on him during the ascent. Wearing the yellow bib, Klæbo accelerated in the final metres of the slope to protect his overall advantage and secure the general classification victory.

Among other French riders, Hugo Lapalus and Clément Parisse finished in the top 10 of the stage (9th and 10th). Jules Chappaz, who was 8th overall before the final stage, placed 32nd on the day at 1'55" from the stage winner.

Final results and detailed stage and overall standings are available on the Tour de Ski and World Cup result pages.