Despite the imminent demands of the classic races on Alexander Kristoff's schedule, the Uno-X Pro Cycling Team's wildcard entry to the Tour de France has elicited a palpable sense of excitement and anticipation from the veteran cyclist.
"For sure, I was thinking maybe I would have a summer vacation, but now that's not going to happen," Kristoff told Cyclingnews. He continues, "You never know because you can be sick or injured, either. But I'm looking forward to it, I hope I can do it."
The prospect of competing in the Tour with the first-ever Norwegian team to take part is what truly excites him. "I'm proud, too, because it's a historic moment for my country's cycling. It's cool to be part of it with the first Norwegian team, something to tell your kids and grandkids."
He further added, "It's a professional team like any other team I've been on. In some ways, it's not that different, except we're talking Scandinavian languages on the bus. It's always good to be a part of something like that.”
The formidable knowledge and experience he has accumulated will be leveraged to steer his inexperienced teammates through one of the year's most challenging and physically demanding races."If there are things I can help with, I will, although we have sports directors to do that. But maybe more than anybody else on the team, I know what to expect," concluded Kristoff.