Bjoergen continues emphatic form as Kowalczyk edges towards title

OLYMPIC champion Marit Bjoergen pulled away from rival Justyna Kowalczyk to strike cross country World Cup gold in the 15km double pursuit event in Lahti.

STAR PERFORMER: Norway's Marit Bjoergen shows no hangover after her Olympic exploits as she romps to 15km double pursuit World Cup gold in Lahti (Getty Images)

The Norwegian sprinted away from the field to finish in 40:10.8 minutes with Poland's World Cup leader Kowalczyk 11.1 seconds behind

Meanwhile, Norway's Therese Johaug another 6.7 back in third for her first individual podium finish of the season.

Bjoergen became Norway's golden girl at the Winter Olympics last month, capturing three golds, a silver and bronze.

The Norwegian was unable to drop Kowalczyk in the final race in Vancouver, the 30km mass start, with the Pole hauling her in to capture her first Olympic title.

But when Bjoergen turned on the gas in Finland, Kowalczyk had nothing left to offer.

The Pole admitted she was running on empty as the Olympics ran to a close and seemed content to watch her rival tear away into the distance as she consolidated second place.

But having earned 400 points for lifting the Tour de Ski title in January, Kowalczyk maintains a dominant lead in the defence of her World Cup title.

The Pole has 1696 points with Slovenia's Petra Madjic and Aino-Kaisa Saarinen, neither of whom competed in Finland, trailing by 505 and 786 respectively in second and third.