Alexander Kristoff back to winning ways at Tour of Norway
Katusha's Alexander Kristoff beats Caleb Ewan and Edvald Boasson Hagen to win stage one of the Tour of Norway in Sarpsborg
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

Having taken five weeks away from bike racing, Alexander Kristoff proved he's not forgotten what he's doing, taking the opening stage in his home tour.
Katusha's Kristoff sprinted into the leader's jersey at the Tour of Norway by pipping Caleb Ewan and Edvald Boasson Hagen to the line in Sarpsborg in a slightly uphill finish.
The Norwegian purple patch of form in the Spring Classics, winning the Tour of Flanders and Scheldeprijs, while claiming top-10 finishes at Milan-San Remo, E3 Harelbeke, Ghent-Wevelgem and Paris-Roubaix.
"It’s great to win at home and that’s what I’m here to do, so I’m very happy to win the first stage," he said. "It was a very strong break and I had to put all of my guys on the front to pull and we were barely able to catch them – it was a close one.
"But even after taking a rest I knew after a good training period that I could still win. I felt a little bit heavy today and I started a bit too far back in the sprint so I wasn’t too sure how it would go and was somewhat nervous."
Having played the supporting role to Adam Blythe at the Tour of Turkey, Ewan was given free reign to target the sprint but couldn't overcome Kristoff at the finish.
Team Sky's Andrew Fenn managed fourth place behind Boasson Hagen, with Tour de Yorkshire winner Lars Petter Nordhaug also in the top-10.
Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Stuart Clarke is a News Associates trained journalist who has worked for the likes of the British Olympic Associate, British Rowing and the England and Wales Cricket Board, and of course Cycling Weekly. His work at Cycling Weekly has focused upon professional racing, following the World Tour races and its characters.
-
-
Aerosensor: the most accurate (and cheapest) handlebar-mounted wind tunnel so far?
Former F1 engineer is crowdfunding a complete system for real-world aero testing that's due to launch next year
By Tom Epton • Published
-
Pfeiffer Georgi takes silver after crash marred Elimination race
Team GB guaranteed a medal in Sunday's men's Sprints after Jack Carlin and Hamish Turnbull qualify for the semi finals
By Owen Rogers • Published
-
Israel-Premier Tech owner welcomes Afghan female cyclists and refugees in Italy after leading group's rescue
Team owner Sylvan Adams also highlighted his commitment to partner with two women's teams in 2023
By Ryan Dabbs • Published
-
Israel-Premier Tech unveils limited edition Tour de France kit
Team launches ‘Field of dreams’ campaign to help kids in Rwanda
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
'Perfect fit' — Israel-Premier Tech enter Women's WorldTour, partnering with Roland Cogeas Edelweiss Squad
Israeli-Canadian team will be a prominent sponsor of the Swiss women's team from this year
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Thieves steal 17 Factor bikes from Israel Cycling Academy training camp in Spain
It follows a number of other headline bike thefts in recent months
By Chris Marshall-Bell • Published
-
Michael Woods aims to put Canadian cycling on the map with Israel-Premier Tech
He says he's aiming to win a a stage of the Tour de France or a monument this year, his 'big goal' in cycling
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Israel-Premier Tech seek to 'improve the world' as well as winning bike races
Co-owner Ron Baron says cycling team aims to 'continue to put Israel on the map'
By Adam Becket • Published
-
'My preparations have definitely been delayed': Chris Froome taking it 'pretty steady' with knee injury
Four-time Tour de France winner says there is a 'good buzz' around Israel-Premier Tech as he heads into second year with team
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Israel Start-Up Nation becomes Israel-Premier Tech for 2022 season
Canadian company Premier Tech joins WorldTour team as a co-title sponsor after leaving Astana
By Adam Becket • Published