Cologna, who won Olympic gold in the event at the 2010 Winter OIympics in Vancouver, crossed the line in a time of 36min 53.4sec ahead of Russian pair Evgeniy Belov and Sergey Ustiugov.

Belov was 16.3 seconds off the pace and compatriot Ustiugov, who earned his maiden World Cup podium finish, was 28.8 seconds behind the eventual winner.

The result gave Cologna his fourth victory in Russia and consolidated his second place position in the overall distance standings.

Norwegian Martin Johnsrud Sundby heads an all-Norwegian top three on the World Cup leaderboard on 1189 points, with Petter Northug Jr in second and Calle Halfvarsson in third.

"It was a great win for me today," said Cologna.

"I caught Sergey with about 3km to the finish and I knew that if I just stayed close to him we would have a fast finish.

"I like racing in Russia and I have good memories from Sochi last winter.

"It's a nice country to come to and compete.

"The courses are well prepared and the people are great."

Astrid Uhrenholdt Jacobsen claimed victory in the women's 10 kilometre event in Russia ©Getty Images



The women's 10km event was won by Norwegian Astrid Uhrenholdt Jacobsen as she finished in a time of 28:12.5 in front of Liz Stephen of the United States, who took a podium spot at a World Cup event for the first time in her career.

Germany's Steffi Boehler was third, 36.4 seconds adrift of Jacobsen.

"I have had to be very patient this year," Jacobsen said.

"My body has not handled training as it should since August.

"This is the place where I won my first World Cup in 2007, so it is nice to be back with a win here again today.

"I have Norwegian Championships coming next week, which will decide the team for the World Championships so this result is good for my confidence."

As with the men's event, all the athletes in the top three of the overall leaderboard hail from the skiing Mecca of Norway.

Marit Bjoergen currently leads the way ahead of Therese Johaug and Heidi Weng.

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