Third race at Oberhof and third victory for the French team. After Paula Botet and Quentin Fillon Maillet, it’s Lou Jeanmonnot’s turn to establish himself in the German cauldron, warmed up this Saturday by a few rays of sunshine and a public that remains as hot as ever. Seventh in the sprint, the Franc-Comtoise was the most precise in shooting (19/20) to win with 18″ ahead of the Norwegian Maren Kirkeeide, already 2nd in the sprint, and 26″ over Elvira Oeberg, starting from 37th place and therefore author of an incredible comeback.
Five French women in the top 10
Only one Frenchwoman on the box: we would almost start to be choosy as the Blues are crushing everything, especially given today’s scenario. The day after the hat-trick in the sprint, a new blue wave was sweeping over this pursuit which began with six Tricolores in the top 12. The first four places were occupied by the French at the start of the 3rd shot, Julia Simon leading the way. pack in front of the revelation of the sprint, Paula Botet, followed by Jeanne Richard and Jeanmonnot. The latter then stood out by being the only one to achieve 5/5. A score reissued during his final visit to the targets. Enough to allow him to enjoy his last lap with the assurance of obtaining his 3rd victory of the winter and the 7th of his career.
Behind, Kirkeeide (18/20) did not fail to finish 2nd while Elvira Oeberg, untenable on the track, let go of the members of her group to grab an unexpected 3rd place – she was 2’21” behind at the start, Océane Michelon never gave up in the wake of the Swede. The 22-year-old Frenchwoman only finished. three seconds from the first podium of her career Two days after a 6th place which already served as a new reference result, she did even better by finishing 4th.
Simon explodes, Jeanmonnot perfect: in video, the 3rd shot that changed everything
Video credit: Eurosport
Overall, Preuss loses big to Jeanmonnot
Also author of an 18/20, Jeanne Richard finished 6th (+34″) while the two leaders, Justine Braisaz-Bouchet (9th at 57″, 16/20) and Julia Simon (10th at 1’10”, 15/20), also finished in the top 10. After an impeccable first shot which allowed her to keep the lead, Paula Botet gradually fell back in the hierarchy, weighed down by five missed balls, to finish in 14th place (+1’26”). For her part, Franziska Preuss was unable to raise her head. Twenty-eighth in the sprint, the German only gained eight places with a shot of 17/20 (20th). In just two races, the quest for the big globe is thus relaunched. The wearer of the yellow bib is only 116 points ahead of Jeanmonnot.
