France’s Eric Perrot took control of a hotly contested Hochfilzen Men’s 12.5 km Pursuit this afternoon in the first standing stage when rival and sprint winner Tommaso Giacomel of Italy missed one shot. At that point, Perrot pulled away, quickly cleaning the last stage and speeding to a 30:06.2 victory. Today’s win was Perrot’s first of the season and his first-ever World Cup pursuit victory.

Giacomel with one penalty finished second, with a single penalty, 10.2 seconds back. Yellow Bib Johan-Olav Botn of Norway finished third, also with one penalty, 29 seconds back.

Fourth went to Germany’s Philipp Horn, with one penalty, 47.8 seconds back. Norwegian teammates Johannes Dale-Skjevdal and Sturla Holm Laegreid, with one and two penalties, finished fifth and sixth, 1:00.7 and 1:07, 7 back.

Photos: IBU/Walter, Nordic Focus