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.

“High level fight”

Perrot, who now has a victory in each individual discipline enjoyed every minute of his tussle with Giacomel. “It was so good to be in the front with Tommy. We had a really high level fight. I knew that on every shooting I had to clean because I know tommy is really fast on the shooting range also on the tracks. It was a real fight with myself to try to take all the targets. I am really happy I did.”

“Have to do it again and again”

The winner admitted one win is just a step on a long road over the whole season. “Of course it is a good for confidence. For me, it is more important to continue the work. It’s a really good win and I will enjoy it, but I know every time you have to do it again and again. It’s never easier. I know it’s going to be a hard fight all the races coming up.”

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