Johannes Thingnes Boe back on top in Ruhpolding mass start

The campaign's two standout biathletes so far were once again at the head of the race in Germany.

Boe made a steady start to the race, clocking fourth, fifth and sixth at the first three checkpoints, but by the fifth timing gate he was up to second, behind Fourcade, and by 8.4km in he was out front – a position he would not give up.

"This is special, since Martin has been ahead of me in the last races, which was the opposite of before Christmas," said Boe.

"Now I am back on top and that is good."

With just three kilometres to go Fourcade was in trouble and back in 11th place, but by the next time check he was back up to second and just 10.7s behind Boe.

But he could do nothing to close that gap more significantly, eventually finishing 4.5s behind the Norwegian, with compatriot Antonin Guigonnat coming home third.

The result leaves Boe just 44 points behind Fourcade's 666 in the overall World Cup standings, with Slovenia's Jakov Fak third, 192 points behind the Norwegian.

While the duo are tied at the top of the mass start standings, each on 114 points with Germany's Arnd Peiffer in third on 74.

Sportsbeat 2018