UAE Team Emirates reach deal to sign Alexander Kristoff, although contract not yet signed

Alexander Kristoff looks set to join UAE Team Emirates for the 2018 and 2019 seasons after the team announced that it had reached a deal with the Norwegian sprinter.

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In an announcement on Facebook, the team said that Kristoff will join the team next year, although a "definitive contract" has not yet been signed due to "routine tests" still needing to be carried out by the team's medical staff.

https://www.facebook.com/UAETEAMEMIRATES/posts/1160625954082424

Kristoff had been widely expected to leave Katusha-Alpecin at the end of the season following a reported falling out with the team after being told that he was overweight and needed to lose a few kilograms.

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The recent RideLondon winner's departure from the Swiss team would seem to open the door for Marcel Kittel to come in as his replacement. The German rider has been strongly linked with such a move, although Quick-Step Floors are said to still be working to try and retain their star sprinter.

Kristoff's move is also likely to disappoint Astana, who had been seen as the most likely destination for the Katusha-Alpecin man.