Youngster Metoděj Jílek (CZE) took his first Mass Start World Cup gold with a solo breakaway at the last event of the series in Inzell (GER) on Sunday, while experienced Jorrit Bergsma (NED) edged out Andrea Giovannini (ITA) to win his career first Mass Start World Cup Trophy.

In the 500m, Damian Zurek (POL) shaved another 0.03s off the track record he set on Friday. Jordan Stolz (USA) had to settle for silver again, but the American repeated last season's Trophy hat-trick, winning the 500m, 1000m and 1500m rankings. 

To conclude this season's World Cup competition, the USA trio of Conor Mcdermott-Mostowy, Cooper McLeod and Zach Stoppelmoor retained the Team Sprint Trophy in a track record time. 

Jílek drops GC contenders to take maiden Mass Start gold

"It was a tactical race, as you often see when it's about a general classification," Bergsma said after the Mass Start.

Jílek, who was not involved in the battle for ranking points, took full advantage, setting up a solo breakaway after the first intermediate sprint. He explained his race tactics.

"My intended strategy was a bit different, but I just ended up in a really good situation,” the 19-year-old Czech skater explained. 

Metoděj Jílek (CZE) took advantage of Mass Start rankings rivals collecting intermediate points to set up a solo breakaway and hold the lead to secure gold © ISU 

“The guys in front of me sprinted for points. We had a big gap, so I just carried the speed and did the breakaway.

"The pace was really high, I went faster than I would in a 5000m or a 10,000m, but I didn't go flat-out. I knew that if I wanted to stay ahead until the end, I would have to save some energy. 

"To be honest, I didn't think that I would make it through. I thought they would catch me, based on my previous experience from the Mass Start races this season, when every time I tried to go for breakaway, I just ended up being caught. So this was pleasant surprise."

While Jilek was racing at his controlled maximum pace ahead of the field, Mathieu Belloir (FRA) and Viktor Hald Thorup (DEN) were chasing him, with the hesitant pack about half a lap behind. 

Indra Médard (BEL) made an effort to close the gap to set up team-mate Bart Swings (BEL) for a sprint, but he didn’t get any support so Jilek was able to stay ahead.

Meanwhile, World Cup leader Bergsma kept an eye on Giovannini and Swings. In the final sprint Giovannini managed to get past escapee Thorup, but Belloir stayed ahead of the pack. The Italian therefore ended up in third place, and Swings in fifth.

Mathieu Belloir (FRA, left) came closest to catching Jílek (center) and took silver. Andrea Giovannini (ITA, right) took bronze but couldn't retain the overall Trophy © ISU 

Coming in 11th, Bergsma kept a four-point cushion over Giovannini in the final ranking. The 36-year-old Dutchman, who has won World Championships, an Olympic 10,000m title and countless World Cup wins, thus seized his first Mass Start World Cup Trophy. 

"Giovannini was really close, if he would have come in second, he would have got the Trophy,” a relieved Bergsma said.

“Lucky for me that the French guy [Belloir] stayed ahead. It's great to win this, it's another major prize in the cabinet."

Veteran Jorrit Bergsma (NED) trailed in 11th place but it was enough to win his first World Cup Trophy by just four points over Giovannini © ISU 

Giovannini, who had won the Trophy in the past two seasons, said the lack of a teammate forced him to alter his tactics.

"Today I was alone, because Daniele Di Stefano (ITA) was not skating, so my tactic was just to try to follow and pay attention and try to get intermediate sprint points,” he explained.

“But the race was tactical with the breakaway, so I couldn’t take the intermediate points and it all came down to the final sprint.

"I'm really happy with my sprint. My lap was really good, My speed was good for Milano."

Zurek repeats 500m win and extends track record

In the second 500m of the weekend in Inzell, Damian Zurek (POL) broke his own track record once more. After skating 34.09s on Friday, he clocked 34.06s on Sunday.

This time, Zurek defeated Stolz in a head-to-head battle. The American got out of the blocks a little faster, opening with 9.58s versus 9.64s for Zurek. But on the last straight, Stolz's famous final jump jet engine didn’t ignite and Zurek was able to pip him to the line. 

Damian Zurek (POL) broke the Inzell 500m track record for the second time this weekend to win a second gold and secure second place in the ranking © ISU 

Stolz clocked 34.10s to take silver, but had already secured the 500m Trophy on Friday. 

"I was a little tired, but I felt like I skated pretty well,” said the American.

“And actually, with all the races I've done, I wasn't even too tired. I think I can still get a bit faster by the time we get to Italy [for the Olympic Games]."

Zurek's team mate Marek Kania (POL) finished in 34.29s to take bronze.

Jordan Stolz (USA, left) came second in his head-to-head with Zurek but had already won the 500m Trophy on Friday.  Marek Kania (POL) took the bronze © ISU 

Dutchman Jenning de Boo (NED) finished fourth to take third place in the 500m ranking behind Stolz and Zurek. He was glad to be back on form after two disappointing races in the first 500m and the 1000m on Inzell.

"I'm happy because I found out why my races were off,” De Boo revealed. 

“My equipment technician told me that my blade had shifted on the boot a little. That's why I made the same technical mistakes in the 1000m as I had done in the 500m earlier. Normally I never make the same technical mistake in two consecutive races. I'm happy that there was an explanation."

De Boo was impressed with Zurek. 

"What he does is super, breaking the track record twice. I'm not sure if I could have done that even if I would have been in top shape. 

“I would have liked to skate like that here, but then again, I've beaten him before and Milan is going to be a different race."

USA call for Olympic Team Sprint

The USA finished the day with a track record time of 1 minute and 17.61s in the Team Sprint. Conor Mcdermott-Mostowy, Cooper McLeod and Zach Stoppelmoor left the Dutch trio of De Boo, Stefan Westenbroek and Merijn Scheperkamp (NED) 0.66s behind, while Norway's Siver Brattgjerd, Henrik Fagerli Rukke and Bjørn Magnussen took bronze in 1:19.33.

Conor Mcdermott-Mostowy, Cooper McLeod and Zach Stoppelmoor (USA) set a track record in the Team Sprint, Stoppelmoor hoping the discipline will be added to the Olympic program © ISU 

The American sprinters made a plea for the Team Sprint to be adopted as an Olympic event. 

"It's great because it's a team event," Mcleod said, with Stoppelmoor adding: "We're all pretty bummed it's not an Olympic event. I think a lot of people agree it's one of the most exciting races in Speed Skating. So hopefully one day… There's only like two and a half sprint events in the Olympics."