The Frenchman, also a 10-time world champion, shot cleanly in today's 10 kilometres sprint event to win in a time of 23min 11.70sec.

But it still took a spectacular last skiing loop for him to overhaul Norwegian rival Johannes Thingnes Boe, who eventually finished 13.7 seconds behind.

Russian Anton Shipulin finished third 15.1 seconds behind after also shooting clean in windless conditions.

“It was amazing, I waited for a long time to win here," Fourcade said afterwards. 

"Up until today, this has been the last venue I have never won in. 

"This is a special day for me.”

There was also clean shooting from all the medallists in the women's 7.5km sprint event won by Germany’s Laura Dahlmeier.

Dahlmeier crossed the line first in 19:51.7 to finish just 3.5 seconds ahead of Justine Braisaz of France.

It marked her first individual World Cup podium.

Third went to Norway’s Marte Olsbu, 21.3 seconds back.

The event took place at virtually the same time as damning allegations about Russian doping at events including the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic Games were unveiled in the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)-commissioned McLaren Report.

"The IBU received the second part of the McLaren Report today," the organisation told insidethegames in a brief statement.

"It will carefully study all of the details.

"In the case that any biathlon-related facts are disclosed, the IBU will implement the WADA Code."