As the resumption of the World Cup approaches, the French men’s biathlon team has developed its strategy for this Olympic season.
There are two possible approaches for biathlon teams heading into this Olympic season. Should we protect ourselves at the start of winter, to keep our strength up for the Milan-Cortina Olympics in February? Or should we start the season on the right foot, and stay on track until the Games?
For the Blues, the decision is made. The French men’s team faces the best Norwegians this weekend in Geilo. And the goal is not to make up the numbers.
“In 2023, I took advantage of the first stages of the World Cup to refine our form, but it did not bear fruit until the end of the season, explains Simon Fourcade,
the coach of the Blues. It was an enriching experience. »
The Blues want to start again like last year
“We changed in 2024 and chose a more offensive approach,” adds Fourcade. As a result, we started the season well and we stayed the course week after week. I am delighted with this success and we will continue this momentum this season. »
After a very disappointing 2023-2024 season, the Blues attacked hard the following winter, winning three victories during the first stage in Kontiolahti: the sprint for Emilien Jacquelin, the mass start for Eric Perrot, and the relay, for the start of a long series of successes in this event.
This set the tone for a season with 11 victories, counting the relays and the Worlds, with Eric Perrot also on the podium in the general classification, two places ahead of Quentin Fillon-Maillet (5th).
