The Frenchman is the current overall leader having claimed two wins at the last event in Östersund in Sweden but has never won a competition in Pokljuka, a regular leg on the World Cup calendar.

Fourcade, also a 10-time world champion and the leading name in men’s biathlon, will hope that record will change when the event gets underway with the men’s 10 kilometres sprint race tomorrow.

He arrives in the Slovenian resort having only been able to finish third in the final competition in Östersund but remains the one to beat.

The 28-year-old is likely to be challenged by the likes of Russian pair Anton Babikov and Maxim Tsvetkov, as well as the Norwegian duo of Johannes Thingnes Bø and Ole Einar Bjørndalen.

Eight-time Olympic gold medallist Bjørndalen had initially planned to retire after Sochi 2014 but then vowed to carry on in order to compete at his home World Championships in Oslo earlier this year.

The 42-year-old, a former member of the International Olympic Committee Athletes' Commission before stepping down to prolong his time in the sport, then extended his career for another two years in order to be able to take part at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang.

Despite him being in the the twilight of his sporting career, Bjørndalen, who is five major victories short of the 100 mark, is confident he can challenge the formidable Fourcade during the IBU World Cup campaign.

Germany’s Laura Dahlmeier comes into the second event of the IBU World Cup season with the yellow bib - worn by the overall leader - but will need another strong performance to keep hold of it.

Gabriela Koukalová of the Czech Republic and Marie Dorin Habert of France, who both clinched victories in Östersund, will also be hoping to maintain their promising start to the campaign.

Women’s action begins with the women’s 7.5km sprint, held after the men’s race.