The German biathletes clearly miss the podium in a renewed demonstration of power by superstar Johannes Thingnes Bö in the first race after the home world championships. Benedikt Doll is particularly angry. Roman Rees, on the other hand, is amazed at the Norwegian.
First he happily announced the continuation of his career, then Benedikt Doll was disappointed in the sprint: At the renewed biathlon show by high-flyer Johannes Thingnes Bö, the 32-year-old was frustrated with his two mistakes in prone shooting after twelfth place. “I knew then that the top placement was gone. It was so pointless and it’s very annoying,” Doll said after the first World Cup race since the home World Cup on ARD.
Even the title fights in Oberhof did not go according to plan for the German men and remained without a medal – even at the start of the final spurt of the season in the Czech Nove Mesto, the podium places were some distance away. Roman Rees was eighth best biathlete of the German Ski Association (DSV). What the Germans once again had was pure admiration for the great dominator. “It all comes together with him. His standing shooting is almost like a show,” said Roman Rees. “I felt really good running. At the finish I was shocked by the deficit. I don’t know how he does it,” added Justus Strelow.
He – that is of course Johannes Thingnes Bö, five-time world champion from Oberhof. He once again dominated the 10K with zero penalties at leisure. The 29-year-old won 30 seconds ahead of his brother Tarjei Bö (0). Vetle Sjaastad Christiansen (1/ 1:15.2) and Endre Strömsheim (0/ 1:17.9) made the Norwegian quadruple triumph perfect.
For Bö it was already the twelfth individual World Cup victory this winter, plus four successes in the relay. The overall World Cup can hardly be taken away from the Dominator. Bö was asked whether he had not celebrated his World Cup triumph with seven medals. He looked a bit incredulous. “You can’t celebrate, there’s always the next race coming up,” he said succinctly. Also on Saturday in the pursuit over 12.5 km, victory is only about gusts. Rees (1) then starts the race 1:27.4 minutes behind. Like Doll (1:45.0), he still has his sights set on third place.
At least there was good news from Doll before the race. He will “do another year, but then it will be over,” said the 2017 sprint world champion of the sports show. “It’s good,” said Doll, “when the situation is clear. I still enjoy it.” Sometimes at least. On Friday (4.10 p.m. / ARD and Eurosport) the women’s sprint continues over 7.5 km. The focus is primarily on sprint world champion Denise Herrmann-Wick. “The home World Cup was a great experience with unbelievable emotions,” said the Olympic champion. She “needed a few days to regenerate”. But now she is “ready for the last trimester”.
