Alexander Kristoff comes close to win in Suisse despite tough stage and crash

Alexander Kristoff had a very eventful day today at the Tour de Suisse, however he didn't manage to bring in the reward at the end as he just barely lacked the power to take the stage win in what should be the race's sole bunch sprint.

"Peter Sagan delivered a great sprint. Adrien Petit & Andrea Pasqualon did the perfect job to lead me out. But the legs felt all the climbing & the crash early in the stage," Kristoff said after the stage. A crash early on saw him suffer some damage, however he resisted the day's climbs and had Intermarché - Wanty - Gobert Matériaux work all day long in order to set up for the sprint. There, Petit and Pasqualon - who should join him at the Tour - once again managed to deliver him into the final meters in prime position.

In the end he sprinted to third place, not being able to leave the wheel of Peter Sagan towards the end. The Norwegian has this season show strong form by winning several races and he will hope to do it again in the coming months.

Kristoff was aware of the difficulties the Swiss race would bring however he will likely stay until the finale in order to test his climbing legs ahead of the Tour de France where he'll have to do the same.