The BMW IBU World Championships highlights every non-Olympic year. The 2025 edition, opening next Wednesday in Lenzerheide is expected to be as exciting and drama-filled as ever. The men’s competitions will signal a changing-of-the-guard, with the final WCH appearances by Johannes Thingnes and Tarjei Boe ahead of their retirements at the end of the season. Sturla Holm Laegreid and rising stars Tommaso Giacomel and Eric Perrot are likely to step up with medal-winning performances.

Here are five men and a few wild cards to watch during this 11-day biathlon extravaganza.

#1 Sturla Holm Laegreid

Laegreid owns twelve World Championships medals, but for the first time he comes to the event atop the Total Score. Last year’s Sprint Gold and Pursuit Silver medalist could easily walk away with six medals. Although Laegreid won the Nove Mesto Sprint. he did so in a “down” year, shooting below his normal 90%+ and skiing not as quick on the tracks. After changing his rifle stock last summer, the Norwegian is back on form, he's been on the podium for the last four individual competitions, which includes two victories. Laegreid’s 92% shooting tops the World Cup and that, combined with his unflappable, calm composure and determined focus, makes him a big medal favorite . Best medals chances: Sprint, Pursuit, Mass Start, Individual, Relays

Speedy Tommaso Giacomel

Tommy is peaking at just the right time, hitting the podium in an Italian men’s record three consecutive times, including winning the Ruhpolding Mass Start. Giacomel, the 2024 Blue Bib winner had the fastest ski times in two of those three competitions, closing 92% of his targets. His performances in Antholz’s thin air indicate the 24-year-old is ready to compete for medals at Lenzerheide’s slightly lower elevation. Best medal chances: sprint, pursuit

Don’t Forget JT Boe

JT may have struggled in recent weeks but expect him to be ready for Lenzerheide. His recharge at home, knowing this will be his final WCH, will likely do the trick for JT. Keep in mind that he was the biggest star in Nove Mesto with seven medals, including three individual titles, only losing the Sprint to Laegreid. Getting two or four times zero will go a long way towards a few more medals. Best medal chances: Sprint, Pursuit, Mass Start, Relays

Rising star Eric Perrot

Eric Perrot is the French team’s rising star. After his first career victory in the Kontiolahti Mass Start, he donned the Yellow Bib briefly and goes into Lenzerheide third in the Total Score. Despite just one additional individual podium this season, he’s finished in the top 10 seven times, highlighting his consistency. Perrot is a key player in the French Relay sweep this season, shooting clean with no spares of his three Relay appearances. His success revolves around 91% shooting. Best medal chances: Pursuit, Mass Start, Relays

The veteran Tarjei Boe

Since winning the Annecy Mass Start Tarjei has been on fire, shooting fast while staying in the contention with gritty track performances. His clean-shooting Antholz Sprint win and one-penalty Pursuit second place puts the 36-year-old in the medal conversation. Tarjei’s years of experience and twenty-six World Championships medals tilt in his favor. With a history of rising to the occasion, this final “rodeo” could put an exclamation mark on Tarjei’s career. Best medal chances: Pursuit, Mass Start, Relays

Wild Cards

Lots of options but think experience: two-time Pursuit World Champion Emilien Jacquelin and ten-time medalist Sebastian Samuelsson are skiing well; one or two more closed targets could win a medal. 23-year-old Annecy Sprint winner Martin Uldal, with six best-ever results this winter, could take a medal in his rookie World Championships.

There will be some surprises as always, but this group will win a fair share of the Lenzerheide medals.

Photos: IBU/ Archive, Nordic Focus