Impressive on skis, impeccable on target. Éric Perrot won at the end of the Hochfilzen pursuit (12.5 km), this Saturday during the 2nd stage of the World Cup. The reigning individual world champion signs the first victory of his season. He crossed the line 10” ahead of Italian Tommaso Giacomel and 29” ahead of Norwegian Johan-Olav Botn, World Cup leader who lost in the finish area.
A duel between Giacomel and Perrot took shape from the start of the race. If the German Philipp Horn managed to hold on to the duo during the first round, the two strong men isolated themselves. Strong on skis, they multiplied their faultless shots against the target.
Flawless shooting
The day before during the sprint, the Italian had gotten the better of the Frenchman. The latter has been gaining momentum since the start of the biathlon season, launched in Östersund. In Sweden, he first took 10th place individually before gradually gaining ground. Ninth in the sprint, 5th in the pursuit, he logically claimed at least a podium finish in Hochfilzen.
However, starting 4 seconds behind his main competitor, he did not need to be asked. At the first standing shot, Perrot flew away. Five impeccable balls for the Savoyard against an error for Giacomel. The French biathlete came out 17 seconds ahead. He confirmed his flawless shooting during the last pass facing the target. The Transalpine did not see him again. This is his fifth victory in an individual race, his first in pursuit.
Second Frenchman, Émilien Jacquelin ranked 7th even though he only started in 14th position at the start. Thanks to his victory, Perrot climbs onto the podium in the general classification of the World Cup, behind those he beat this Saturday in Hochfilzen.
