Kristoff battles back from crash to secure Top 10 finish on stage three of Abu Dhabi Tour

UAE Team Emirates’ Alexander Kristoff continued his consistent performances on the Abu Dhabi Tour, with the Norwegian battling back from a mid-race crash to secure a top 10 finish on Friday’s stage three.

It was another chaotic bunched sprint to the line, as riders bumped shoulders, jostling for a strong position going into the final kilometre. Kristoff, who has been suffering with illness, was perfectly positioned and fought hard with his fellow sprint specialists to secure eighth place and head into tomorrow’s Individual Time Trial sitting second in the General Classification (GC).

Commenting on his performance, Alexander Kristoff said: “The crash was just bad luck. A rider in front of me crashed and their bike took away mine and I couldn’t do anything. My bike was okay for the sprint, but I didn’t feel too good today. I tried and my team mates got me into a good position and I know If I have the legs then I have a good chance, but unfortunately I didn’t manage to produce a great sprint. However, I still managed to get a good position and still be in the mix in the final meters.”

Riders will now gear up for an Individual Time Trial – new to the Abu Dhabi Tour for 2018 – as they look to pick up vital seconds on their fellow GC contenders. The route sees riders navigate a 12.6km sprint across Al Maryah Island, finishing at the Rosewood Abu Dhabi Gallery.

Stage Three Results

1 Phil Bauhaus (Team Sunweb) 3:02:55

2 Marcel Kittel (Katusha) s.t.

3 Pascal Ackermann (Bora-Hansgrohe) s.t.

8 Alexander Kristoff (UAE Team Emirates) s.t.

General Classification Standings after stage 3

1 Elia Viviani (Quick Step) 11:06:36

2 Alexander Kristoff (UAE Team Emirates) +4’’

3 Phil Bauhaus (Team Sunweb) +4’’