Alexander Kristoff obtained his eighth podium of the season in the Grand Prix Morbihan (1.Pro) which was organized on the circuit around Grand-Champ this Saturday.
Thanks to impressive teamwork, the Norwegian rider battled for the victory on the final uphill kilometer (4%)
Even though the early breakaway was caught relatively far from the finish line thanks to the work of Kévin Van Melsen and Corné Van Kessel, two other attackers resisted for a long time to the peloton.
The dedication of neopro Hugo Page then enabled the bunch to close the 30 second gap to the duo in the approach to the final 10 kilometer.
Dimitri Claeys and Baptiste Planckaert launched Kristoff, who was only defeated by Julien Simon. The Frenchman anticipated the sprint with an attack 500 meter before the finish and resisted to the powerful return of the Norwegian rider.
« I'm happy that I could sprint for the victory and reward the efforts of my teammates. All eyes we're on us, they did an admirable job all day long. It was a difficult final for my characteristics and with this new podium finish, I made the best of it. Julien Simon benefitted well from the final 1.5 uphill kilometers to anticipate the sprint, because he attacked before I felt ready to start my final effort. Most of the riders of our roster returned to competition after a training period and we've already shown that we're ready to pursue our good performances of the spring. Our eyes are on a next victory and if you ask my, I'd prefer to take it sooner than later. I'm looking forward to my first participation to the Tro Bro Léon this Sunday, my only experience on unpaved roads are the plugstreets in Ghent-Wevelgem and the gravel sections of the GP de Plouay. Our line up contains a former winner and experienced riders, so I'll line up in the best conditions! »
