Weng's superb breakaway victory in yesterday's mass start in the Italian resort saw her close the gap and begin today's proceedings a slender 1.8 seconds behind her fellow Norwegian.

She produced another dominant display today in the concluding nine kilometres pursuit to power clear up the Alpe Cermis climb and eventually finish 48.5 seconds in front of her rival.

Her final time across the six stages - each of which doubling as an International Ski Federation Cross-Country World Cup leg - was 2 hours 20min 56.5sec.

"I am obviously so happy to win again the Tour," Weng said afterwards.

"It was very hard.

"When we came to the bottom of Alpe Cremis the pace was quite high. 

"I knew when it got steep that was when I wanted to make my move."

Østberg only managed the fourth fastest time of the day but was never at risk of losing second place overall.

Teresa Stadlober of Austria skied the second fastest time of the day to finish fifth overall, 3:09.40 behind Weng.

Jessica Diggins of United States was third fastest on the day to overhaul Krista Parmakoski and take third overall, 2:23.20 off the pace in comparison with 2:57.70 for her fourth placed Finnish rival.

Switzerland's Cologna gained a first overall win since 2012 after crossing in 28:52.01 today.

His total time of 2:49:29.80 saw him finish 1:25.50 clear of the rest of the field.

A thrilling battle emerged for second and third as Norway's Martin Johnsrud Sundby ultimately held off Canada's Alex Harvey by barely four seconds.

Sundby, who won on the day, crossed for a total time of 2:50:56.30 to finish runner-up for the second successive year while Harvey managed 2:51:00.40 for third.