Sergey Ustiugov achieved a record fifth straight win in the men's Tour de Ski ©Getty Images

Sergey Ustiugov became the first male athlete to win five stages in a single edition of the Tour de Ski as the Russian earned victory in today’s 10 kilometre free technique race in Toblach, Italy.

He had become the first man to win four consecutive races at the Tour when he triumphed in the 15km pursuit event on Wednesday (January 6), but another strong display saw the 24-year-old stretch his streak further.

Ustiugov, who leads the overall International Ski Federation (FIS) World Cup standings, finished in a time of 21 min 47.9sec as he looked to pull further away from his rivals.

It would prove to be only a narrow victory, with France's Maurice Manificat finished just 0.4 off the pace to end as the runner-up on the stage.

The day’s podium was completed by Norway’s Simen Hegstad Krueger, who would end 16.6 down on the stage winner.

“I had extra motivation today because it’s my mother’s birthday,” said Ustiugov.

“I pushed very hard from the start.

“I wanted to extend the overall Tour de Ski lead.”

Crucially in the race of the overall Tour de Ski classification, Norway’s Martin Johnsrud Sundby could only finish 14th place on the fifth stage, losing nearly 37sec to Ustiugov.

Jessica Diggins claimed the stage win in the women's event, while her American team-mate Sadie Bjornsen achieved a maiden World Cup podium finish ©Getty Images
Jessica Diggins claimed the stage win in the women's event, while her American team-mate Sadie Bjornsen achieved a maiden World Cup podium finish ©Getty Images

It sees the defending champion slip to 1:34 behind the Russian with just two stages remaining, but Sundby retains his second place in the general classification.

The fifth stage of the women’s event saw the United States’ Jessica Diggins claim victory in the 5km free technique competition, ending in a winning time of 12:45.60.

It was the American’s third straight triumph in the format, which saw her equal the record of Russia’s Elena Valbe.

Finland's Krista Parmakoski ended in second place after ending 13.6 off the pace, while Diggins’ team-mate Sadie Bjornsen secured a maiden World Cup podium after ending a further second adrift.

Crucially the overall Tour de Ski leader Stina Nilsson of Sweden finished in 20th place on the stage, ending 40sec behind the winner.

It would see her drop to third in the standings, with Norway’s Heidi Weng taking over as the leader after finishing in fifth place.

She leads the standings by 11.1 from her compatriot Ingvild Flugstad Oestberg, while Nilsson is 16.3 behind Weng.

The Tour de Ski will now move to Val di Fiemme for the final two stages in Italy, with mass start events set to take place in both the men’s and women’s competitions tomorrow.