Alex Harvey misses gold by 1.2 seconds at x-country World Cup finals

Alex Harvey finished just off the podium with a fourth-place result in the men's 15-kilometre mass start race on Saturday at the cross-country World Cup finals in Quebec City.

Harvey completed the course in 35 minute, 24.9 seconds, just 1.2 seconds behind gold-medal winner Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo of Norway. 

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Norway also took silver in the event, with Niklas Dyrhaug posting a time of 35:24.2. Russia's Alexander Bessmertnykh finished just 0.4 seconds ahead of Harvey with a time of 35:24.5. 

Harvey told CBC Sports after the race that he didn't feel any added pressure after his win in the 1.5 km freestyle on Friday.

"The approach didn't change, it's a new day, it's a new race...so yesterday just put me in a good position to fight for the podium and for [my race] tomorrow. So [my approach] didn't change much on strategy," Harvey said.

"The goal is to stay near the front, not lose too much time to anybody around me in the ranking, so I delivered on that goal."

Nishikawa soaks up atmosphere

Earlier in the day, Marit Bjoergen edged Norwegian teammate Heidi Weng on the final stretch to win the women's 10 kilometre mass start event.

Bjoergen, unbeaten in the event this season, posted a time of 24 minutes, 23.6 seconds and won by 0.6 seconds over Weng, while Krista Parmakoski of Finland was third.

Emily Nishikawa, who appreciated the chance to compete on home soil, was the top Canadian, finishing in the 37th spot with a time of 26:15.3.

"It's just amazing. It's a really special atmosphere here. To be racing world cups in your home country...every day is a good day," Nishikawa told CBC Sports after the race. 

The 27-year-old is pleased with the progress that the Canadian women's team is making and sees a bright future for the sport. 

"This is a really good step, overall the program has taken a big step this year," Nishikawa said. 

"The past couple years, I was the only female on the World Cup. It was kind of lonely at times, but its really nice to have this group of women that are growing together and improving and helping each other get better. So that's really really exciting."