Biathlon: "It's all good!" ... Julia Simon, victorious in Ruhpolding, prances in the lead of the World Cup

The tricolor staff had had the hollow nose to preserve Julia Simon, Saturday, for the relay from Ruhpolding (Germany).

This Sunday afternoon, the biathlete from Les Saisies, at the top of the general classification of the World Cup, put even more yellow on her leader's jersey by winning the mass start ahead of the Italian Lisa Vittozzi and her compatriot Anaïs Chevalier- Bouchet.

Impressive consistency since the start of the season, Simon, 26, has been on the podium nine times (three victories) in twelve individual races, including six times in a row, current series.

In the Bavarian station, the Frenchwoman, despite a "small" 17/20 in shooting, waited for the last bump to bring the blow before a superb finish at three.

“I had a plan in my head and it went as I imagined, she smiled at the Team 21 microphone. Either I felt much stronger physically and I left at the start of the last lap, or I was waiting.

That's what I did because I had given a lot before.

This attack on the last bump, it's nickel.

I relied on my qualities as a puncher.

It's all good!

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🇬🇧⛷ VICTORY FOR JULIA SIMON IN THE MASS START AT RUHPOLDING BEFORE LISA VITTOZI!

Double French podium with Anaïs Chevalier-Bouchet who finished 3rd.#lequipeBIATHLON pic.twitter.com/u3QVXoojt1

— L'Équipe channel (@lachainelequipe) January 15, 2023

As quick on skis as she is in her shots, the silver medalist in the mixed relay at the Beijing Olympics almost failed to confuse speed with haste in her quest for victory.

“I had a lot of fun,” she continues.

I was really very excited, I had a lot of desire, it was really very electric and I'm happy to have channeled myself.

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The little extra freshness made the difference.

“She had more cash, she was faster, observes Anaïs Chevalier-Bouchet.

I didn't know how to put enough in the bump to manage to unhook it.

Already third in pursuit on Thursday, Julia Simon can leave Germany with the satisfaction of a job well done.

Especially since she recovers the lead in the specialty classification and increases her overall lead over Elvira Oeberg, sick and absent from the race.

The Swede is now 141 points behind as we are halfway through the season.

“In the general classification, I have a small joker, analyzes the Frenchwoman, whose progression in prone shooting is one of the keys to success.

But I'm not immune.

See you next Thursday at the sprint in Antholz (Italy) to confirm his fine ambitions.