29/03/2023

"This was not the plan" - Crazy breakaway almost nets Alexander Kristoff victory at Dwars door Vlaanderen

Alexander Kristoff was an outsider for today at Dwars door Vlaanderen, but a rider who would on paper be waiting for a possible sprint. The exact opposite happened as the Norwegian launched himself into the breakaway, and then was only caught in the very final kilometers.

"This was not the plan, but my team leader (DS, ed.) asked: why don't you come along? We said to each other, how hard can it be? My first attempt was a hit right away, so I said in the communication that apparently it didn't have to be that complicated," Kristoff detailed in a post-race interview. With the hardest sections of the race ending outside the final 50 kilometers it seemed to be an intelligent move, but with it's obvious risks.

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However Kristoff didn't rely on his sprinting capabilities to perform here. He and Oier Lazkano tested the main favourites to the limit this afternoon as they were only caught inside the final sector, despite a fast race behind. “I felt pretty good, but in the final the chasing group got closer very quickly."

Kristoff was then part of the group which was to fight for the race win, with Christophe Laporte attacking for victory: "Then I was somewhat surprised by Laporte's attack at one and a half kilometers. I wasn't ready to sprint yet because I was quite tired."

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The final few kilometers however proved to be too much for the veteran. "I actually exploded when the group returned and I was no longer able to react when there was an attack. When the pace dropped I was fine, but in the end it was too hard after a long day in the leading group. I'm glad I was able to race for so long, although the result is obviously disappointing," he concluded.

Kristoff has not been able to sprint in the end and dropped to the back of the group, crossing the line in 27th place whilst breakaway partner Lazkano finished second on the day. He's shown his best classics legs today however, in good timing as the Tour of Flanders is already taking place this weekend.