Sundby finished the arduous course in a time of 2hr 08min 41.9sec to lead home a Norwegian one-two, with compatriot Niklas Dyrhaug sealing silver, 18.8 seconds adrift.

Bronze went the way of Russia’s Maxim Vylegzhanin, who crossed the line in 2:09:47.3.

The result came as a great relief to Sundby, who also earned Olympic bronze in Sochi 2014 in the 30km skiathlon competition, after four previous podium finishes in Holmenkollen.

His victory saw him become the first athlete in Cross Country World Cup history to earn five top three-results at the Norwegian resort in Oslo and strengthened his grip on top spot on the overall standings.

Sundby now has a formidable tally of 1687 points, with team-mate Finn Hågen Krogh his closest challenger on 967.

Petter Northug, also of Norway, occupies third position on 945 points.

“I have been waiting for this moment for five years,” Sundby said.

“It has always been a dream to win this race - when I was nine years old I was camping in the forest cheering for all the great skiers.

“My strategy was to shock the others with a hard pace from the first kilometre.

“I think I have never been skiing 50 km that fast from the beginning.”

The Norwegian was quick out of the blocks as he sought to establish an advantage from the outset and it paid dividends, though Dyrhaug and Vylegzhanin did manage to keep pace in the early stages.

The turning point of the race came with 10km to go as Sundby upped the pace once more, with his compatriot Dyrhaug the only one who was able to keep in contact.

Eventually, his challenge faded as he was forced to settle for silver, while the Russian competitor fended off the assault of Norway’s Didrik Toenseth to cling on to bronze.

“It was fun but it was the hardest race I have ever skied in my life,” Dyrhaug said.

“I had to work hard already in the first lap to close the gap on the leading group.”

The Cross-Country World Cup event in Holmenkollen continues tomorrow with the women’s 30km race.