The Italian Francesco De Fabiani is only in eighth place in the Olympic skiathlon competition at the Beijing Games. The blue cross-country skier finished 3'37 "behind Alexander Bolshunov, who dominated the test.
On the ring of Zhangjiakou, the Russian winner of the World Cup imposed his own pace from the first fraction in classic technique and overwhelmed his opponents in the skating phase.
The gold medal goes to the 25 year old from Podyvotye after the previous three silvers and bronze, obtained at the last Olympics. Silver to teammate Denis Spitsov. Bronze medal to the Finnish Iivo Niskanen. Further back the other blues in the race, with Paolo Ventura 34th and Giandomenico Salvadori 48th.
(Unioneonline / ss)