Defrasne backs Raphael

ByEurosport

Published 21/02/2006 at 07:16 GMT

Pursuit victor Vincent Defrasne has revealed he spared a thought for team-mate Raphael Poiree after grabbing Olympic gold. While Defrasne outsprinted Ole Einar Bjoerndalen in a dramatic finish on Saturday, Poiree's Turin woes continued as he failed to fin

For all the 38 World Cup race wins, four crystal globes and five individual world titles to his name, Poiree - France's greatest-ever biathlete - has seen Olympic gold elude him.

And Defrasne admitted his team-mate was in his thoughts as he celebrated his own incredible triumph.

"On the podium no, but when I was calm in the car to go to Turin for the presentation of the medals, I was almost uneasy thinking about him," said Defrasne, who will form part of the French relay quartet with Poiree on Tuesday.

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"Becoming Olympic champion is his ultimate goal, and it's me who goes and does it. It's not going all that well for him at these Games, but there's still one race, the Mass Start, and I think he can win a medal."

LENGTHY SHADOW

With his win, Defrasne finally stepped out of the lengthy shadow cast by his more illustrious compatriot, ironically by beating Bjoerndalen, the man with whom Poiree has been sparring for top spot on the World Cup circuit over the last decade.

But Defrasne insists that he never resented the media spotlight focussed on Poiree and his wife, Norwegian biathlon star Liv-Grete.

"It was difficult, but not that difficult. It wasn't a pain, anyway," said the 28-year-old. "When I got a good result, I put things into perspective, because he was always better.

"The story with him and his wife interests a lot of people, too. But he's never made anything of it. He never smothered me. His results just hid that other guys in the team were doing well, too."

Defrasne's results - while good - were never likely to make the unassuming Frenchman the centre of attention.

MEAGRE RETURNS

A maiden World Cup win in this season's Sprint at Oberhof and three podium finishes in seven campaigns ensured Defrasne remained a respected figure in international biathlon's hinterland.

But despite meagre returns for his efforts, Defrasne says he never doubted in his own ability.

"Honestly, I thought I could win a medal. But to do it like that, with such an intense race, I couldn't have dreamt of better," he said with child-like wonder. "I win in the closing metres, with two big guns behind me...

BIATHLON 2006 Torino 2006 Norway Pursuit Men Bjoerndalen Defrasne

Image credit: dpa

"I've really had high expectations of myself since last summer. I said that I could do it. I wasn't certain, far from it, but I had the desire deep inside of me."

And after having won his own gold medal, Defrasne now has hopes of helping Poiree and team-mates Julien Robert and Ferreol Cannard repeat the bronze-medal winning performance of the French relay squad at Salt Lake City.

"The relay is really dear to all of us," said Defrasne. "I've been lucky enough to get an individual medal and now I want - for them and for me - to get one in the relay. That would be a real pleasure."

Follow the men's relay LIVE on eurosport.com from 12:00 on Tuesday!

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