News | Tour de La Provence • February 11, 2021
Top-10 for Kristoff in Provence opener
Emirati squad active on windy first stage
UAE Team Emirates delivered Alexander Kristoff to a 10th place in an intense first day of racing at the Tour de la Provence (2.Pro) in France.
The lumpy stage from Aubagne to Six-Fours-les-Plages (182.3k) saw an elite three-man breakaway featuring world-champion Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck-Quickstep) escape in the final 70km opening a 1’30’’ gap on the peloton.
The colours of UAE were to the fore of the peloton as the combined efforts of Vegard Stake Laengen, Alessandro Covi and Sven Erik Bystrom pegged the group back inside the closing 2km.
Kristoff found himself well-placed in the final straight, just losing ground in the final metres as Davide Ballerini (Deceuninck-Quickstep) claimed the win and leaders jersey.
Tomorrow will be an opportunity for the puncheurs and could be a day for Matteo Trentin as the riders go from Cassis to Manosque (174.7k).
Tour de la Provence stage 1 results
Davide Ballerini (Deceuninck-Quickstep) 4:43:23
Arnaud Demare (Groupama-FDJ) s.t
Nacer Bouhanni (Arkea-Samsic) s.t
10. Alexander Kristoff (UAE Team Emirates) s.t
General Classification after stage 1
1.Davide Ballerini (Deceuninck-Quickstep) 4:43:23
2.Arnaud Demare (Groupama-FDJ) +4’’
3. Nacer Bouhanni (Arkea-Samsic) +6’’
14. Alexander Kristoff (UAE Team Emirates) +10’’
