Johannes Rydzek won the World Cup event in Lahti ©FIS

Johannes Rydzek made a triumphant return to the venue where he won four World Championship gold medals last year with another International Ski Federation Nordic Combined World Cup victory in Lahti today.

The German won the men's Gunderson individual event today in the Finnish resort after finishing the cross country leg in 24min 51.60sec.

Team-mate Vinzenz Geiger claimed the third podium finish of his career with second place, 3.4 seconds behind Rydzek.

Norway's Jørgen Graabak sprinted to third place in a frenetic charge for the line, a further 0.5 seconds back.

Japan's Akito Watabe had returned from his rest day yesterday to lead after the jumping element following a huge leap of 130.5 metres.

He was unable to maintain this lead, however, and eventually crossed the line fifth in 24:58.90.

Germany's Johannes Rydzek continued his good form at the FIS Nordic Combined World Cup in Lahti, the Finnish venue where he won four World Championship gold medals last year ©FIS
Germany's Johannes Rydzek continued his good form at the FIS Nordic Combined World Cup in Lahti, the Finnish venue where he won four World Championship gold medals last year ©FIS

Rydzek had placed seventh after the ski jumping but soon caught up with the leading group in the cross-country before breaking away late on.

"I was just trying to enjoy the competition, I'm pretty much knocked out now, but mega-happy," he said.

"I came here with a smile."

Germany's double Olympic champion Eric Frenzel could only finish 15th today after a poor ski jump left him 22nd at the halfway point.