Another Podium for Kristoff in Norway

Alexander Kristoff once again showed his return to form by winning the bunch sprint for 3rd place on Stage 3 of the Tour of Norway behind escapees Edvald Boasson Hagen (Dimension Data) and Joris Nieuwenhuis (Sunweb) after a fast 179 kilometre stage from Lyngdal to Kristiansand.

During the race, three riders broke away after a couple of kilometers from the start and were brought back with just 30 remaining as they entered the final finishing circuit. There was a tricky 1.1km climb on the 10km circuit which proved a springboard for attacks. Kristoff battled over the climb and fought it out for the sprint from the main bunch, though winner Boasson Hagen and Nieuwenhuis were never caught. The Norwegian strongman from UAE Team Emirates is now leader of the points classification.

Stage 4 takes place tomorrow with a 224.4 kilometre trek from Arendal to Sandefjord.

Kristoff: “It was a tricky final with the climb, we had quite good control of it with Riabushenko, Mori, Ferrari and Sutherland all in the front. We lost a bit of control in the downhill and Boasson Hagen got away and we never got him back.
It was a pity because I felt much better today and I managed to win the bunch sprint for third.I felt I could have won today but I’ll try for a stage in the next days“.

Stage 3 results
1 Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor) Dimension Data 4h25’47”
2 Joris Nieuwenhuis (Ned) Team Sunweb 2″
3 Alexander Kristoff (Nor) UAE Team Emirates 3″

General classification after stage 3
1 Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor) Dimension Data 12h30’03”
2 Cees Bol (Ned) Team Sunweb 7″
3 Alexander Kristoff (Nor) UAE Team Emirates 9″