Thanks to an exemplary collective performance, Alexander Kristoff received the opportunity to sprint for the victory in the third stage of the Tour de Suisse (2.UWT), despite the parcours with more than 3000 meters of climbing.
For more than three hours, Italian rider Simone Petilli rode in the lead of the peloton in order to control de gap with the breakaway, including Philippe Gilbert and Stefan Bissegger.
His pulls made it possible to keep the gap under 3 minutes halfway through the race and then to catch almost all escapees with 20 kilometer to go. German rider Georg Zimmermann took over and reeled in the last survivor with 12 kilometer to go.
The sprint train of the Norwegian rider was formed before the technical final in the streets of Granges and Alexander Kristoff could ideally launch his effort with 250 meter to go. The former European champion was third at the finish and took his eleventh podium of the season.
« Today was probably my best opportunity to sprint in this Tour de Suisse, which is particularly hilly. This is why the team sacrificed for me and did a perfect job from the start to the finish. Unfortunately it was not a perfect day for me, because in addition to the heat and the many climbs, Georg Zimmermann and I crashed in the beginning of the stage. But I’m satisfied that I was in the mix for the win despite these obstacles. I’m grateful for what my teammates did for me today, they brought me to the front in the technical final, which contained for example a lot of road furniture. Afterwards, Andrea Pasqualon launched me perfectly. Of course I’m disappointed that I wasn’t rewarded with a victory, but I have to admit that Peter Sagan was stronger today. I have a good feeling and I’m convinced that this rude Tour de Suisse will be beneficial for the next couple of weeks. »
