The 32-year-old, a four-time Olympic medallist, who claimed 4x5 kilometres team gold at Sochi 2014, won in a thrilling finish by two centimetres over compatriot Magnus Krog after both skiers were awarded the same time of 22min 17.30sec following the concluding 10km cross country leg. 

Teenager Jarl Riiber continued his remarkable rise to the highest ranks of the sport, finishing exactly a second behind the two leaders in third to claim a first World Cup podium.

Moan's victory marked a superb return to the form after illness affected his start to the season.

"I'm not surprised that victory comes now, because I have so much experience now," the winner told Norwegian broadcaster NRK afterwards.

"But this shows that the work I have put down, despite illness, has been good. 

"The goal is to be in training mode, and to take competitions as a test."

The 18-year-old Riiber had dominated the jumping competition, managing 95.5 metres to finish comfortably ahead of Japanese rival Akito Watabe's mark of 92.5m.

This gave the youngster a mammoth lead of 37 seconds heading into the cross-country leg.

For a while it appeared as if he would hold his lead as a star-filled chasing pack struggled to chose the gap.

Eventually the pressure told, however, as an eight strong group containing Moan and Krog caught-up. 

Moan had been down in 20th place after the jumping but broke clear on a tough uphill section before edging ahead to secure a 25th World Cup victory.

Another normal hill competition is due to take place at the Austrian resort tomorrow.