Kristoff Climbs the Podium on day one at Tour of Norway

Local favourite Alexander Kristoff finished in third place in the finish behind Cees Bol (Team Sunweb) after a fast first stage of the Tour of Norway which took the riders on a 168km course from Stavanger to Egersund.

The stage saw a breakaway of four riders go clear after 20km which was reeled back with less than 3km to the line. 

“We worked all day at the front with Mori, Riabushenko and Sutherland” said Director Sportif Simone Pedrazzini “Unfortunately Sunweb benefitted most. That’s racing. Kristoff is going well and we should have at least three more chances this week.”

Kristoff: “It was a bit of a hectic final because I lost my teammates wheel at 3km to go. We were at the front early so I tried to drift back but lost the good wheels in the process. In the final 50m Cees Bol managed to overtake me in the sprint so I finished third, but I’m happy I managed to get a top 3 because I has been sick the past few weeks. So I hope to get another good result in the next few days.”

Tomorrow stage 2 from Kvinesdal to Mandal of 174 km, other fast wheels stage.

Results stage 1 

1 Cees Bol (Ned) Team Sunweb 3:55:12

2 Eduard Grosu (Rom) Delko s.t.

3 Alexander Kristoff (Nor) UAE Team Emirates s.t.

General classification after stage 1 

1 Cees Bol (Ned) Team Sunweb 3:55:12

2 Eduard Grosu (Rom) Delko +4”

3 Alexander Kristoff (Nor) UAE Team Emirates +6”