Alexander Kristoff fled in violation of the semi-classic Dwars door Vlaanderen on Wednesday.
– It was not the plan (to break), entrusts Kristoff to Eurosport.
– It was Gino (Van Oudenhove, sporting director) who said yesterday: “Why don’t you crack?” So I thought I would give it a try. Here we go, so it’s been a long day, Kristoff tells TV 2.
Kristoff fought heroically through the break, but along with Oier Lazkano, the 35-year-old for Uno-X was picked up with around six kilometers to go.
– I felt pretty good. I thought we were going to wait until the end, but they came quickly to the end. I wasn’t ready to ask when the big group arrived, Kristoff said.
On Sunday, TV 2-broadcast Flandern awaits Kristoff and Uno-X.
– I felt good today, but it’s hard to tell (something about the form) when I’m sitting up front and riding smooth. It’s not like sitting in the back where the speed goes up and down. It’s a shame he’s not big. I feel that I was quite close today, he confides to Télé 2.
There were more attacks when the group behind got close to Kristoff and Lazkano. Frenchman Christophe Laporte from Jumbo-Visma broke free and won Dwars door Vlaanderen.
Uno-X’s Søren Wærenskjold sat in what was left of the main pitch. It was the group that sprinted for the podium places behind Laporte. Lazkano finished second, 15 seconds behind Laporte. Neilson Powless came third.
Wærenskjold came in 14th place, while Kristoff finished in 27th place.
– There’s nothing more fun than Alexander Kristoff on offense. His form is obviously good and he tends to respond very well to power efforts like this. It bodes well for what lies ahead this weekend, says TV 2 cycling expert Magnus Drivenes.
– There were no results today, but that’s how Uno-X can get results in the big classics. They have to be attacking and be at the forefront because it’s almost impossible to follow the wheel of Wout Van Aert, Mathieu van der Poel and Tadej Pogacar when they start, Drivenes explains.
Watch Flanders around on TV 2 Direkte and TV 2 Play on Sundays from 9:30 a.m.!
“Hardcore coffee specialist. Unable to type with boxing gloves on. Devoted internetaholic.”