Italy’s Tommaso Giacomel, after an inspired Sprint win on Thursday did it again, coming back from a 56-second deficit after the first standing stage to clean the final standing and claim the Oberhof Men’s 12.5 km Pursuit in 37:15.4. His six penalties on many days would have put him far from the podium, but today it did not stop him from victory and a bigger prize, the Yellow Bib that he will wear next week in Ruhpolding.

“Not deserving to win”

Giacomel was critical of his six-penalty day, despite cleaning the last standing. “Oberhof is, I think, the university of biathlon. Everybody, including me felt six misses isn’t any good. I think I was not deserving to win today with my performance, but I actually win, so that’s it!”

“I think the strongest biathlete is Johan-Olav”

As for becoming the first Italian man to don the Yellow Bib in 34 years, he added, “I will wear the Yellow Bib in Ruhpolding but I think the strongest biathlete at the moment is Johan-Olav (Botn). He is not here now. I would have rather wanted to gain the Yellow Bib on the field and not because he is sick. That is a bit sad, but I am sure we will have many more fights in the next races.”

Norway’s Martin Uldal, leading into the last standing finished second, 4.5 seconds back with four penalties, three of which were in the last stage. Sweden’s Sebastian Samuelsson, like Giacomel, with six penalties and over 50 seconds after the first standing, flew around the last 2.5 km, finishing third 8.8 seconds back.

Uldal’s teammate Johannes Dale-Skjevdal, with five penalties, finished fourth, 11.4 seconds back. Samuelsson’s teammate, Martin Ponsiluoma, also with six penalties finished fifth, 12.4 seconds back, with France’s Quentin Fillon Maillet in sixth, with four penalties, 14 seconds back.

Oberhof Penalty Fest

After an off day due to weather, Oberhof offered up a minus 8, windy afternoon for the first pursuit of 2026. Everyone struggled with the gusty wind in the first prone and it never stopped, with 238 penalties, making this competition a penalty fest! Giacomel missed twice and Nawrath once. The German taking a 14-second lead over the Italian and Uldal.

The German picked up a penalty in the second prone but retained the lead. Dale-Skjevdal cleaned, moving into second, 16 seconds back with Uldal third, another ten seconds back.

Standing was tough on the leaders. Three standing penalties dropped Nawrath from the lead, Uldal cleaned wickedly fast, taking over the top spot, with Dale-Skjevdal third 33 seconds back.

Giacomel Cleans, Moves into Lead

Uldal’s three penalties in the last standing opened the door for Giacomel who cleaned after being 56 seconds back.

The inspired sprint winner left nothing to chance, pushing the last loop with Uldal unable to catch him. At the same time, Samuelsson put on a big push, moving up from 27 seconds back in sixth to third.

Photos: IBU/Heilwagen, Nordic Focus