Canadian Alex Harvey finishes seventh in second race of Tour de Ski competition

Alex Harvey
(Instagram photo)

LENZERHEIDE, Switzerland—Canadian Alex Harvey was seventh Saturday in the second stage of the eight-race Tour de Ski competition Saturday.

Harvey, of St-Ferreol-les-Neiges, Que., posted a time of one hour 15 minutes 42.7 seconds in the men’s 30-kilometre classic. Norway’s Martin Johnsrud Sundby won the race in 1:14:48.

Compatriots Petter Northug and Didrik Toenseth were second and third, respectively.

“The classic has been tough for me this year, but it was my first race I was skiing well technically and hitting my kick,” Harvey said. “I was happy with my skiing and I also got a lot of bonus points so I gained a lot of rank today.”

Ivan Babikov of Canmore, Alta., was 33rd in 1:18:14.9 while Devon Kershaw, of Sudbury, Ont., finished 41st in 1:19:12.9. Toronto’s Len Valjas was 65th in 1:21:42.9.

The race consisted of eight laps over a 3.75-kilometres course. Harvey made his way into the lead group of five at the five-kilometre mark and stayed there for most of the race.

“I started in the fourth row which is unusual for me,” he said. “I had no choice but to start harder than I normally would.”

“I had to go for it. I was running outside the track on the hills to pass guys. I couldn’t relax for the first couple of kilometres so I maybe paid for that at the end of the race a bit, but there were no other choices today but to go for it.”

The third stage, a 10-kilometre skate-ski pursuit race, is scheduled for Sunday.