Team Katusha’s leader Alexander Kristoff took second podium place in the prestigious one-day race Kuurne – Bruxelles – Kuurne (193 km), which was held today in Belgium.
Alexander Kristoff and his Katusha teammates controlled from the front the last 30 km, keeping the pace high as the peloton wove through the city streets of Kuurne. Kristoff held his position as the group hit the final corner to set up the field sprint. The strong Norwegian ramped up his power with 150 m to go, kicking for the finish line in a massive turn of speed. A last second pass from Mark Cavendish put Kristoff in second place by less than a bike length in an exciting group sprint.
- I felt really tired all day and I felt yesterday’s effort in the legs. In the final the team did a good job and brought me in a perfect position but Mark was just faster. He didn’t race yesterday so maybe his legs were a bit fresher. I know Mark is fast, he’s one of the fastest guys in the world so to be beaten by him is really not too bad. Of course I wanted to beat him but maybe I’ll have another shot in Milano-Sanremo. I will try my best and maybe I can beat him, - said the ever-optimistic Alexander Kristoff. Joining them on the podium in the third position was Elia Viviani of Sky.
- I was really, really happy with the team today. When you see the whole team on the front doing what you talked about in the meeting before the race, honestly you get goose bumps. In the final of course we knew as a former winner of this race that Mark Cavendish would be fast, so we tried to win. We feel pleased with a second place finish, - said team director Torsten Schmidt.
A breakaway group of leaders formed at less than 50 km to go after passing famous Oude Kwaremont and included Alexander Kristoff but hard chasing from the teams that missed out brought them back with 34 km to go.
More attacks followed but under the watchful eye and strong teamwork of Team Katusha drilling it on the front, the group stayed mostly together until just under 5 km to go. BMC’s Philippe Gilbert tried a lone move, but patience from the main field kept his gap in check and under the kite signaling one kilometer to go, he was brought back and the massive field sprint followed.
Kristoff struck out from the 200 m banner and came with speed up the left-hand side of the course. He was just nipped by Cavendish in the closing meters.
The next race for Team Katusha is Le Samyn on Wednesday.
Photo credit: (c) Tim De Waele
