Next Antholz podium: Giacomel in gala form

Tommaso Giacomel continued his very own fairytale at the World Cup in Antholz. In the pursuit on Sunday, the Trentino native landed on the podium again.

26 January 2025

From the South Tyrol Arena in Antholz

From:
Christoph Niederkofler

As he crossed the finish line, Tommaso Giacomel clapped his hands briefly and thanked the countless spectators in the main stand. After another spectacular exchange of blows with the two Norwegians Tarjei Bø and his compatriot Sturla Holm Lægreid, the crowd cheered loudly for the Trentino rider – but ultimately he was not granted a victory in the big home game in Antholz. already in the sprint Giacomel finished in third place (+24,0 seconds/2 penalty laps), with overall World Cup leader Lægreid (29.53,0/0) ahead of Bø (+18,9/1).

Giacomel had a say in the battle for victory for a long time, and was even leading the field before the final standing start. Then the 24-year-old, who attended the sports high school in Mals, incurred his second penalty lap. While the flawless Lægreid ran inexorably towards his second victory of the season, Giacomel fell behind Bø on the final lap. who announced his retirement on Friday in tears, back.

Hofer with a big fight

Didier Bionaz became the second best Azzurro on Sunday afternoon and finished in 23rd place (+2.41,5/3). Lukas Hofer, meanwhile, once again put up a great fight; in terms of pure running time, the 35-year-old from Montal was in the fastest third of the field (21st). However, a total of four penalty laps prevented him from making a leap forward.

Sturla Holm Lægreid won the pursuit. © ANSA / ANDREA SOLERO

In the overall World Cup, Lægreid (854 points) extended his lead over Johannes Thingnes Bø (806), followed by the Frenchman Eric Perrot (585). The 27-year-old has never won the big crystal globe before, but has finished second in the overall rankings three times. The men's pursuit was the final event of the World Cup weekend in Antholz. The women's relay race had already taken place, which was decided by a controversial fall by Ingrid Landmark Tandrevold. The event continues in two and a half weeks - then the World Championships are in Lenzerheide (February 12 to 23).