Stina Nilsson is the surprising winner of the Mini Tour in Quebec. The Swede suits the easy track on the Plains of Abraham very well, but she also showed an impressive form after her forced break before the World Championships. Although the Norwegians gave everything behind her, they could no longer catch up with the Swede, who is becoming more and more of an all-rounder. "I thought they'll catch up with me quickly, but I just kept up my pace and on the last lap I realized I could handle it and enjoy it", said the happy winner. Ingvild Flugstad Østberg and Therese Johaug, who started into the race 33 seconds and 49 seconds back, were fighting for further podium spots. Johaug caught up with the teammate after the first 3.3 kilometer lap and then took over the pace work, to try to catch the Swede. Despite a poor final corner, Johaug succeeded over her teammate, who was overjoyed showing at the yellow jersey when crossing the finish line. "It's hard to describe, I did not dare to dream of someday winning the yellow jersey, but now I've done it and am amazed that I was allowed to wear it. In the last few days and weeks I had to fight for it hard, it was very exhausting - physically and mentally", said Østberg, who was carried through the finish area by her teammates. Therese Johaug secured with the points for the fastest time the third place in the overall World Cup ahead of Krista Pärmäkoski (FIN). Ebba Andersson (SWE, Fischer skis, binds and boots), who escaped from the chasing group with the Finn, finished fifth ahead of sprinter Jonna Sundling (SWE, Fischer skis and bindings), who could not keep up with the pace. Frida Karlsson (SWE, Fischer skis, bindings and boots) finished her first mini-tour in ninth place ahead of Charlotte Kalla (SWE, Fischer skis and bindings).
For the men today were not a complete 15 kilometers on the program, but only four laps a 3.3 kilometers. Johannes Høsflot Klæbo made his own race at the front and on the first lap, his lead on the Bolshunov and Harvey (CAN), who started 52 seconds later, barely melted. In the second lap, the duo skied a higher pace than the Norwegian and after half of the race, the gap was only 17 seconds. Klæbo slowed down to wait for the duo and impose his tactics on them. With loud HARVEY, HARVEY shouts, the group passed the stadium for the last time and Bolshunov still kept up the pace - like the last ten kilometers before. One kilometer before the finish, Bolshunov tried to increase the pace at the foot of a climb, but Klæbo counterattacked immediately and opened a small gap so that nobody could catch him. "Bolshunov has been strong all season and again today and I did not have my best day today, it was a very tough race. I fought for the podium and for the overall World Cup victory, but I saved some energy for the end and now I am pleased that I have made it", rejoiced the Norwegian, who again won the big crystal globe with exactly 100 points advantage. The chasing group behind the trio was more than a minute behind. Like yesterday, Didrik Tønseth (NOR, Fischer skis, bindings and boots) set a fast pace, but on the last corner he was overtaken on the inside by the Italians De Fabiani and Pellegrino (both ITA). After all, Emil Iversen (NOR, Fischer skis, bindings and boots) was able to catch Pellegrino and secure fifth place. Didrik Tønseth finished eighth and Sindre Bjørnestad Skar (NOR, Fischer skis, bindings and boots) came in ninth.
