Kristoff 2nd in Norway as Molano top-5 at Vuelta

Alexander Kristoff came within a whisker of victory on stage 3 of the Tour of Norway.

The veteran sprinter, guided by a strong lead-out, managed second after an aggressive day of racing which regrouped in the closing kilometres for a bunch sprint won by Mads Pedersen (Trek-Segafredo).

The riders started and finished in the townland of Jørpeland (159.9 km), with an undulating course providing a launch pad for many attacks throughout the day.

Kristoff: “It was a hard stage, the team stayed with me and supported me all day. Young Finn Fisher-Black helped me when I was dropped to get back on and the team moved well to set up a leadout and I had the wheel of Pedersen in the final but I couldn’t pass him. He was the stronger man today, so I have to be happy and accept second place today.”

 
Ethan Hayter (Ineos-Grenadiers) continues as leader of the General Classification with Bystrom the best placed of UAE Team Emirates in 11th spot at 39’’.

Tomorrow the race overall will be decided on Stage 4 Hinna Park to Stavanger (156.5km).

 
Stage 3 results
1.Mads Pedersen (Trek-Segafredo) 3:49:02
2. Alexander Kristoff (UAE Team Emirates) s.t
3. Mike Teunissen (Jumbo-Visma) s.t.

 
General classification after the 3rd stage

1. Ethan Hayter (Ineos-Grenadiers) 8:00:42
2. Ide Schelling (Bora-hansgrohe) +15 ”
3. Mike Teunissen (Jumbo-Visma) +29 ”
10. Sven Erik Bystrøm (UAE Team Emirates) + 41 “

 
A mass sprint finish decided the standings on stage 8 at the Vuelta España with Colombian Sebastian Molano coming home in a respectable 5th position.

The flat stage from Santa Pola to La Manga del Mar Menor (173.7 km) skirted all along the Mediterranean coast with threats of wind throughout the day.

The Colombian fastman was frustrated in the closing metres just getting boxed in as he was about to open his sprint inside 100m to go and so had to settle for 5th spot, while Fabio Jakobsen (Deceuninck-Quickstep) took the win.

Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma) continues as race leader while his compatriot Jan Polanc is best place UAE rider in the GC in 5th place at 38’’ with David De La Cruz in 14th at 2’14’’.

Stage 8 results

1.Fabio Jakobsen (Deceuninck-Quickstep) 3:56:05
2.Alberto Dainese (DSM) s.t
3.Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Fenix) s.t
5.Sebastian Molano (UAE Team Emirates) s.t

General classification after the 8th stage
1. Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma) 29h14’40 ”
2. Felix Grosschartner (Bora-hansgrohe) +8 ”
3. Enric Mas (Movistar) +25 ”
5. Jan Polanc (UAE Team Emirates) +38 “