In the fog and gray of Nove Mesto (Czech Republic), Eric Perrot once again caught the light, Sunday January 25, by dominating the mass start event from start to finish. Three days after his success in the short individual, the 24-year-old French biathlete won again, and at the best of times, the sixth stage of the World Cup being the last to take place before the opening of the Winter Olympic Games in Milan-Cortina (from February 6 to 22, 2026).
Irreproachable on the shooting range, the Savoyard did his best (20/20), while showing consistency on his skis, making no mistakes throughout the 15 kilometers of a course that was nevertheless delicate. Solo as he approached the finish line, Eric Perrot took the time to savor his victory, finally ahead of the American Campbell Wright (2e) and the Norwegian Sverre Dahlen Aspenes (3e).
“It feels good, these are great moments, he savored at the microphone of the L’Equipe channel. The will worked today, and that’s not always the case. I put a lot of demands on myself to reach this level. I watched Martin (Fourcade) do that easily on TV, and I understand today that it wasn’t easy, it was in the fight. »
“The yellow jersey is not going to help me go any faster”
At the end of this fight, the French biathlete above all obtained, for the second time in his career, the provisional status of leader of the general classification, dethroning the Italian Tommaso Giacomel, author of a failed race (11e). He, who was 23 points ahead before the mass start, is now 37 behind, losing the yellow bib and the confidence that comes from it, just before starting the Olympic Games at home.
Pragmatic, Eric Perrot did not want to take pride in the situation, however exceptional: “It’s great to be able to achieve this bib. Now, I’m going to put all that aside, we are entering a new period with these Olympics. I’m going to rest well mentally to be fresh, I have big ambitions for these Games, and I can’t wait to be there. But it’s going to be new battles. The yellow jersey won’t help me go any faster. »
For the other tricolors in the running, the day certainly did not offer a podium, but the Fabien brothers (4e) and Emilien Claude (6e) were however able to benefit from a great momentum, side by side. At the foot of the podium, Fabien, the youngest, was already planning for Antholz, the location of the Olympic events: “It’s another great day for the team. Congratulations to Eric, he made two 20/20s during the week, and he took yellow: it’s great and bodes well for the future. » At least that’s all there is left to wish for the Blues.
