Superb Rydzek is Nordic Combined world champion again

Rydzek headed up a German top four in the final, with Eric Frenzel taking silver, Bjorn Kircheisen scooping bronze and Fabian Riessle just missing out on a podium finish.

Rydzek, defending his title from 2015, finished 14.9 seconds ahead of fierce rival Frenzel in the 10km cross-country sprint, overhauling his compatriot after the latter had topped the Individual Gundersen Normal Hill jump standings with a leap of 99 metres.

The champion had a 14-second delay in the 10km cross-country after clocking 124.5 points to Frenzel's 128.1 in the jump, but successfully fought his way into the lead to take the title.

Kircheisen battled his way to bronze, finishing 30 seconds behind Rydzek, with Riessle coming in 32.2 seconds after the champion.

Japanese skier Akito Watabe was the highest-placed non-German skier, finishing fifth, with Frenchman Francois Braud sixth. Austrian Philipp Orter won the cross-country event, but could only manage eighth overall.

Sportsbeat 2017