Hochfilzen (Austria) (AFP)

The day after his 2nd place in the sprint, Quentin Fillon-Maillet performed on Saturday a real demonstration during the pursuit of Hochfilzen to win his first success of the season ahead of Emilien Jacquelin.

A sign that the new leader of the French biathlon team is finally launched after a complicated start to winter.

Promoted leader of the Blues with the retirement of Martin Fourcade, the Jurassien (28) had not been to his advantage during the last two weeks spent in Finland (Kontiolahti).

A hook by Austria and it is the rebirth for the one who had proclaimed his high ambitions before the start of the circuit and his desire to conquer the big crystal globe, even if it means putting himself under enormous pressure.

The succession of Fourcade is a heavy burden to bear but under the abundant snow of Hochfilzen, Fillon-Maillet behaved like a boss, not allowing anyone to challenge him the victory and already taking a date for the future.

Author of a magnificent 20/20 with a rifle, the Frenchman took the lead after the first lying shot to win for the 4th time in his career in a World Cup event, ideally placing himself in the general classification (3rd ), still dominated by the Norwegian Johannes Boe, 4th Saturday.

- Irresistible -

"It was not such an easy race, reacted Fillon-Maillet. Starting in front, or almost, I had to manage my race on my own. The goal was to stay in my race and pass the shots, trying to save some energy for the last round. I'm happy with the management of emotions. Not thinking too much about the result allowed me not to have my legs shaking on the last shot. It's always a big challenge to have two good races so I'm really happy. "

Faced with such mastery, his rivals could only bow.

Emilien Jacquelin however also released a very strong performance, offering himself his first podium of the season after a clear shot.

But Fillon-Maillet, known as the "Morbac", was simply irresistible and impossible to catch up with.

"He needed to go for the win after his 2nd place, it reinforces his training choices," said Blues coach Vincent Vittoz.

The Frenchman can now prepare for the Sunday relay with great serenity.

Especially with four representatives in the Top 10 (Fillon-Maillet 1st, Emilien Jacquelin 2nd, Fabien Claude 5th, Antonin Guigonnat 9th), the Blues demonstrated their exceptional density.

The race should be summed up as very often to a France-Norway match, the Nordiques also having achieved a nice toll with four members among the top ten (Johannes Dale 3rd, Johannes Boe 4th, Sturla Holm Lagreid 6th, Tarjei Boe 7th) .

kn / jde

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