It was a second successive win for Sundby in the event, with Bjørgen claiming her first ever title.

Sundby began the day just 3.1 seconds behind team mate Petter Northug on the Tour de Ski standings, but a third place finish in this final event saw him leap frog into first with a winning margin of 34.5 seconds.

He now joins Switzerland's Dario Cologna as the only male skier to win consecutive Tour titles.

Northug settled for second place after finishing 13th in today's race, while Russia's Evgeniy Belov took third, 51.1 seconds behind Sundby.

"Today feels just amazing," said Sundby.

"I did not have the best start today.

"I did not feel good at the beginning.

"Petter was pushing hard after the start and I did not know if I could follow him.

"I am so happy and relieved to win.

"Mentally it was the biggest challenge ever."

It has taken nine editions for six-time Olympic champion Bjørgen to claim a Tour de Ski title but today was finally her day as the Norwegian finally got her hands on the coveted trophy.

The 12-time World Championship gold medallist took a two minute lead over team mate Heidi Weng into the final day of action and in the end won by 1:39.2 over last year's champion Therese Johaug, also of Norway.

Multiple Olympic and world champion Marit Bjørgen finally claimed a Tour de Ski title with an impressive performance in Italy today ©FIS Cross-Country Ski


Johaug was fastest on the day, recording a time of 32:16.4 to leap frog Weng into second place after finishing 59.4 seconds ahead of her team mate.

Bjørgen ended the day in third position, 1:11.1 behind Weng, but her time was easily enough to secure a first Tour de Ski title after 89 World Cup victories.

"It is a big victory for me," Bjørgen said.

"To win the FIS Tour de Ski has been a goal for me for a long time.

"It took me nine years to achieve it.

"I knew I had to be strong before the last stage.

"I started the Tour were well.

"I felt good on the climb.

"It is an amazing feeling and it is great to share the happiness with my team mates.

"They mean a lot for me.

"They motivate me and they push me in training every day.

"I am very happy for Ragnhild [Haga] and her fourth place."

Liz Stephen of the United States was the fourth fastest on the day, ending 1:13.5 behind the leader, and moved from sixth place into fifth overall, a best ever result for the US.

At one point she overtook Norway's Ragnhild Haga for fourth position but couldn't hold her off once the course flattened towards the finish.

In the end it was Stephen who was the first non-Norwegian finisher.

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