Martin Fourcade claimed a memorable home win in France ©Getty Images

France's home hero Martin Fourcade finally got the better of Norway's Johannes Thingnes Bø as he claimed 15 kilometres mass start gold at the International Biathlon Union World Cup in Annecy.

Bø had won four World Cup races in a row prior to today and beat Fourcade into second place on the first two days at the French resort.

Fourcade, a two-time Olympic champion and 11-time world champion who is seeking a seventh successive overall World Cup crown, admitted after yesterday's sprint event that the Norwegian's form was "too good".

He was able to turn the tables today, however, giving the home crowd what they wanted with a clean-shooting victory in 37min 19.4sec.

Silver went to Bø who collected two penalties and finished 3.9 seconds behind.

Clean-shooting German Erik Lesser was third, 6.2 seconds behind Fourcade.

Fourcade, who skied over the line carrying the French flag, leads the overall World Cup standings on 432 points.

Bø is second on 412 and Slovenian Jakov Fak is third on 306.

"It's difficult to rank victories, but what I can say is in terms of emotions it's probably the most amazing competition of my life," said Fourcade, who had never won in Annecy.

In the women's 10km mass start there was also home gold for France as Justine Braisaz delighted the home crowd.

Justine Braisaz won the women's race on a fine day for France ©Getty Images
Justine Braisaz won the women's race on a fine day for France ©Getty Images

She shot clean in a time of 37:19.4 to clinch the maiden World Cup success of her career.

Irina Kryuko of Belarus also performed perfectly on the shooting range and finished 11 seconds back in silver medal position, with Germany's defending overall World Cup champion Laura Dahlmeier third after her victory in the sprint yesterday.

Dahlmeier recorded two penalties and was 19.9 seconds back.

"It is my father’s birthday today and it's amazing to have a first victory at home," said Braisaz. 

"I am just so happy.

"I did not want to believe it. 

"Then I saw my waxman with the French flag, I took a breath and yes, it is for me today. 

"It was a very nice feeling to share it with the crowd and all of the French people. 

"It was just like a dream, but the reality is actually better."

Anastasiya Kuzmina of Slovakia leads the World Cup standings on 302 points with Braisaz now second on 296.

Finland's Kaisa Mäkäräinen is third on 281.

The World Cup season will now resume in the New Year, in Oberhof in Germany from January 4.