Alexander Kristoff (Uno-X Mobility) powered to victory on the opening stage of the 2024 CRO Race, netting his ninety fifth profession win within the course of on the age of 37.
Having gained the identical stage in 2023, Elia Viviani (Ineos Grenadiers) had prime place heading into the ultimate dash in Sinj however was overpowered by Kristoff who launched out of his wheel seated earlier than opening up absolutely with 150 metres to go.
The Norwegian held his dash for longer because the Italian pale and misplaced out to 2 of his compatriots Giovanni Lonardi (Team Polti Kometa) and Alberto Bruttomesso (Bahrain – Victorious) as he fell to fifth.
Kristoff takes the chief’s jersey heading into stage 2 from Biograd na Moru to Novalja the place he’ll search for an eighth win of the season and proceed charging in direction of the 100 mark.
“In the ultimate, it was a bit irritating on two small roads with some sharp corners however we managed to remain in an excellent place collectively. Into the final kilometres, we have been 4 guys and I knew we have been missing somewhat little bit of firepower towards Ineos who did not pull throughout the stage and have quite a lot of robust guys,” mentioned Kristoff as he described the run for house.
“So I used to be on the lookout for Viviani within the final kilometre and I knew he had the strongest lead-out so then I began my dash a bit sooner than him to take him abruptly and fortunately I used to be robust sufficient to carry all of it the way in which and nobody got here round. It was a giant headwind however I nonetheless I managed to do it.”
Kristoff was second total on the CRO Race in 2023 however harassed that he wasn’t near that form of form this season. However, he did admit that this 12 months was already an even bigger success after taking a stage win – one thing he could not do final day out in Croatia.
“I did not really feel good at this time really, I’ve been battling some illness, a small chilly so we did not actually need to work at this time,” he mentioned.
“Now I’ve a victory, final 12 months I used to be at all times second so I’m already proud of the race as a result of I got here in realizing I used to be not in high form. I’ll attempt to goal for some extra levels.”
Results
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