France's Martin Fourcade will be looking to extend his advantage in the men's overall standings at the IBU World Cup in Nové Město na Moravě ©Getty Images

The International Biathlon Union (IBU) World Cup continues in Nové Město na Moravě this week with the battle for first place in the overall standings wide open in both fields, especially the men’s.

The four-day event in the Czech town has been closed to the public because of the coronavirus outbreak.

The decision to hold it behind closed doors has been questioned by five-time Olympic champion Martin Fourcade who currently tops the men's overall standings on 788 points with seven individual competitions left until the end of the season.

The Frenchman is followed by compatriot Quentin Fillon Maillet with 712 points and Norway’s Johannes Thingnes Bø with 690.

A host of athletes arriving for the event competed at last month's IBU World Championships in Antholz-Anterselva in Italy.

Italy's Dorothea Wierer leads the way in the overall IBU World Cup standings for women ©Getty Images
Italy's Dorothea Wierer leads the way in the overall IBU World Cup standings for women ©Getty Images

There have been more than 2,500 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Italy, the most outside of China, South Korea and Iran.

In the women's overall standings, Italy’s Dorothea Wierer, winner of two gold medals at her home IBU World Championships, leads the way on 719 points.

Sweden’s Hanna Öberg is second with 613 points, while Norway’s Tiril Eckhoff is third with 607.

Action in Nové Město na Moravě is due to begin with tomorrow’s women’s 7.5 kilometres sprint event.

Competition is scheduled to run through to Sunday (March 8).