The Russian Alexander Bolshunov started 20 seconds ahead of national team colleague Denis Spitsov in the hunt start of 15 kilometers in Toblach.
A lead that Bolshunov would extend the longer the race lasted - when the riders passed ten kilometers, the Russian had a one-minute lead down to the chasing cluster.
Bolshunov, who leads the Tour de Ski, drove alone from start to finish.
He won in the time 34: 32.9.
The text is updated.