We were eagerly awaiting the duel between Martin Fourcade and Johannes Boe, his greatest rival. In Pokljuka (Slovenia), the 6th stage of the World Cup, the two champions did not leave each other over the 20 kilometers of the individual event.
It was finally the Norwegian who won 9 seconds ahead of the five-time Olympic champion. Fourcade, who had won everything in 2020, retains the lead before the mass start next Sunday (12:15 p.m.).
The emotion of Fabien Claude
The unexpected Fabien Claude (25 years old), 17th overall, achieves his first individual podium, at 26 seconds. A performance and immense pride for the Vosgien, whose father, Gilles, is one of the five Frenchmen who disappeared in the tragic snowmobile hike in northern Quebec.
The biathlete of Épinal (including Florent, the brother, also runs for Belgium), on the verge of tears, paid tribute to him at the end of the race: "This podium is for him," says Fabien Claude at the microphone of the 'Team. I am sure he is proud of us. "
đź’¬ Fabien Claude dedicates his 3rd place and the first podium of his career to his father: "I am happy to pay tribute to him this way, this podium is for him" #lequipeBIATHLON pic.twitter.com/GEVEtZEAcM
- L'Équipe channel (@lachainelequipe) January 23, 2020The ideal weather conditions enabled the vast majority of competitors to make almost perfect scores on the four shots offered. Authors of a 20 out of 20 (like Fabien Claude), the two men expressed their sense of precision, and it was on pure sliding that Boe made the difference.
For his return to competition after four events missed due to paternity, the Norwegian has shown that he will have to be counted on for the last four stages, starting with the Worlds in Antholz (Italy), from February 13 to 23.
