Quentin Fillon-Maillet won the sprint (10 km) in Ruhpolding (Germany) on Thursday, consolidating his lead at the top of the general classification of the Biathlon World Cup. Fillon-Maillet (29) scored his fourth success of the season, the tenth of his career, by 7.2 seconds ahead of German Benedikt Doll and 32.1 seconds ahead of Belarus Anton Smolski.
In the absence of the best Norwegians, who decided to ignore this German stage with a view to the Beijing Olympics (February 4 to 20), the Frenchman, author of a clear shooting, has performed an excellent operation in the fight for the big crystal globe.
Especially since his two main rivals, the French Emilien Jacquelin and the Swede Sebastian Samuelson, have experienced serious failures. Jacquelin, who made 4 rifle errors, finished in the depths of the standings (52nd) while Samuelson (2 faults) took only 18th place. “Wearing the yellow bib (of the World Cup leader, editor’s note) did not prevent me from sleeping and it was not an additional stress. I am not afraid of this leadership position and I have mastered my race from start to finish. On the shot, I was on the attack and I had no doubts. The form on skis was correct, it responded as I wanted, it’s perfect, ”responded Fillon-Maillet after his second success in a row. “The more the years go by, the more experience I have and winning less and less scares me,” he added. “It’s easier and easier to manage the race and the pressure. It intimidates opponents. In the past, it was I who was intimidated by Martin Fourcade or Johannes Boe. Now it’s me who finds myself in this advantageous position and that comforts me in the idea that I can play the general. That’s all the confidence stored up for the Olympics. “
Two other French people stood out by entering the Top 10: the young Éric Perrot (8th), who at 20 years old recorded his best World Cup result, and Simon Desthieux (9th).
