2026 Olympic Biathlon Men's 12.5km Pursuit Prediction & Preview
Updated July 9, 2026
The men’s biathlon 12.5km pursuit at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina is always a highlight of the games, blending intense cross-country skiing speed with precision marksmanship at the shooting range. As athletes prepare for this Sunday’s pursuit race, bettors and biathlon fans have a wealth of recent results, World Cup form, and Olympic performances to consider when thinking about where to place their bets. Before this event begins in Italy, you can find my biathlon men's 12.5km pursuit prediction right here.
Below are the current betting odds for the men’s biathlon pursuit winner at the 2026 Winter Olympics gold medal market:
One of the biggest storylines heading into the men’s pursuit is the outstanding form of several French and Norwegian biathletes. Quentin Fillon Maillet, who already clinched sprint gold earlier in these Olympic Games, carries momentum and confidence into the pursuit after showcasing solid skiing and perfect shooting in the sprint. That victory places him as a clear frontrunner in betting markets and as a strong medal favorite.
From Norway, Sturla Holm Laegreid and Vetle Sjastad Christiansen have steadily been among the top performers this season, with Laegreid securing bronze in the recent Olympic sprint and Christiansen finishing right alongside him. Norway’s depth is incredible in this sport, and their athletes are particularly dangerous in pursuit formats where consistent shooting can catapult them up the leaderboard.
France’s Emilien Jacquelin is another intriguing figure. Though he narrowly missed a medal in the sprint by fractions of a second, he is a former world champion in the pursuit and will be motivated to atone. His strong shooting and tactical edge over long distances make him a serious contender if he can execute under Olympic pressure.
Outside of the French-Norwegian duopoly, Sweden’s Sebastian Samuelsson has shown flashes of brilliance this season and could be a dark horse for a podium finish, especially if others encounter difficulties at the range. Meanwhile, the rising American star Campbell Wright, a silver medalist at the 2025 World Championships in both the sprint and pursuit, represents the most compelling long-shot story on offer for bettors looking for value.
Pick: Sturla Holm Laegreid ATS PRO
Confidence: 4/5
I am going to take Sturla Holm Laegreid of Norway to come away with the win in this event and to bring a gold medal home to Norway. Fillon Maillet’s combination of confidence, experience, and current form makes him a major threat to come away with the gold here. But I think we are going to see the Norwegians keep each other in a good spot in this event and for one of them to win this event at the expense of the French.
