Alexander Kristoff's retirement plans don't involve sunbathing - the legend bought a Norwegian continental team!
Cycling
Many cyclists have retired in the 2025 season, but very few (if any) with the career of Alexander Kristoff. The Norwegian has decided to hang up his bike at the age of 38 after one last dance with the Uno-X Mobility team, and with 98 pro wins under his belt. But that doesn't mean he's forgetting the sport, far from it, as he's decided to buy a pro team.
The new challenge in which Alexander Kristoff has decided to immerse himself in this new stage of his life is still in Norway, as he has become co-owner of his country's continental team: Team Drali - Repsol.
This professional team had been called Team Coop - Repsol for the past few years, but the first sponsor will cease to exist this 2025. Drali, its new main sponsor, is an Italy-based bicycle brand that has signed a contract until the end of the 2028 season.
For Alexander Kristoff, the goal is clear: Team Drali - Repsol wants to continue to grow to become a team as important as Uno-X Mobility for Norwegian cycling. The latter has already participated in the Tour de France with a wildcard, so why not dream of a similar goal?
A talent mine?
Alexander Kristoff's new team already knows what it's like to build promising careers for many riders. In recent years, some talents have emerged, such as:
Alexander Kristoff has become owner of Team Drali-Repsol.
- Embret Svestad-Bårdseng: he rode for the team between 2021 and 2022, and in the current cycling market he has made the jump to INEOS Grenadiers after leaving Arkéa - B&B Hotels. In addition, he participated in the last edition of the Giro d'Italia and is considered one of cycling's top general classification gems.
- Storm Ingebrigtsen: has raced until this year with the team, where he took his first professional victory by winning the opening stage of the Tour of Norway, as well as the mountains classification. That performance earned him a contract with Uno-X Mobility, where he is racing until 2027.
Read also
Ondrej ZhasilCycling Journalist
Ondřej Zhasil is a cycling journalist at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2023. He is based in Ostrava, the third-largest city in the Czech Republic, and covers professional cycling across the main UCI competitions, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España. A key focus of his work is startlist analysis and pre-race coverage, where he examines team selections, rider line-ups, and tactical scenarios ahead of major events.
Alongside WorldTour coverage, Ondřej has developed specific expertise in junior cycling and in racing across East Asia, including competitions in China and Japan. He also maintains a broad working knowledge of other disciplines and levels, including cyclocross, while continuing to expand his understanding of mountain bike racing.
Ondřej holds a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Physics, which supports his analytical, data-driven approach to performance and race analysis. In his reporting, he regularly uses ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available.
claps 0visitors 0
Just in
Popular news
Latest comments
- So, you never really compared Paul Seixas with his main rival Isaac Del Toro why jump to Pogačar? They've (Paul & Isaac) raced together here and there, and they've both shared in wins and losses, I think they should be compared to each other, even with Vingegaard and Remco first before even touching Pogačar. From your writing it's like he's better than Vingegaard, Remco and Del Toro already that his main target is now Pogačar 🤔Sadick11-11-2026
- gee i hope its a minor injury. a great rider and ambassador for the sport. get well soon Lucinda.
Davide11-11-2026 - some of lidl-treks retention and recruiting has been puzzling in the mens and womens teams.Davide11-11-2026
- Yeah his ride at World's was unreal. Over 6 W/kg for over an hour and a half...he single handedly destroyed the break.DAS11-11-2026
- Exactly, you hit the nail on te head.... Ayuso sucks. 3 to 4 years ago some cycling experts were comparing Ayuso as the "new Pogi"... but he's not even close to him... either physically or mentally. Capish you naive schoolboy?PogiSloFans11-11-2026
- I think they expected more from riders like Carlos Rodriguez, Vauquelin and Magnus Sheffield. Imo they should have focused on signing Primoz Roglic, at least they´d probably have had a guaranteed podium GT finisher (he still might sign for them). Now they have 2nd or third tier riders in the classics (Ben Turner, Arensman, Beloki and hopefully Onley can step up again even more). Sheffield, August, Bernal, Tarling and Geoghan Hart did not live up to the star expectations eventually..Jonatan11-11-2026
- Fuuuuuuck, Ciccone and Pidcock on the same team, attacking like crazy and taking it to the other competitors? Yes, please.Occam11-11-2026
- Oh Cameron, this win has been a long time coming! We could not be more proud. All I’ll say is: roll on Glasgow 🔥anonymouscyclist11-11-2026
- Ayuso is another guy riding for GC but won't be able to consistently do it. Almost all of these guys, Skjelmose included, would be better off targeting shorter stage races or one-day races rather than shooting for a GT top-five.Occam11-11-2026
- Awesome. Because you didn't like him, he sucks. Good Lord, you're tendentious. And you write like a 15 yo locked in his room after school.Occam11-11-2026
Loading
Write a comment