Bjøergen, a six-time Olympic champion, claimed victory in the 5km classic women's stage, completing the course ten seconds ahead of compatriot Therese Johaug in 12min 48sec.

Norway's Heidi Weng was third on the stage, a further three seconds behind Johaug, maintaining her record of finishing on the podium on every stage of the Tour so far.

Bjøergen's stage four win saw her increase her overall lead to 1:34 over Weng,

"I hope to carry on good results," Bjøregen said.

"I feel in a great shape and feel that nothing can stop me.

"There are many seconds between three of us tomorrow.

"I have a comfortable gap and I can focus only on my performance."

Norway's Petter Northug saw his overall lead reduced on stage four of the Tour de Ski
©Getty Images


Stage four of the men's competition saw Northug's lead over Martin Johnsrud Sundby reduced to just 1.5 seconds.

Russia's Evgeniy Belov now lies in third place, six seconds behind the Norwegian after a second-placed finish on the stage.

Belov's finished fractionally behind Alexey Poltoranin of Kazakhstan, who took the stage victory, setting a winning time of 22:51, 0.5 seconds ahead of Belov.

"I had great skis, they were very fast," Poltoranin said, following his win.

"I decided to go on skate skis only 10 minutes before the start.

"I have no plan for tomorrow.

"I am focused on the classical technique competitions".

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