Alexander Kristoff (Katusha) heads to North America for final preparations ahead of the World Championships after notching his 20th win this season in a bunch sprint at Sunday's GP Ouest France-Plouay. Following a disappointing Tour de France, the Katusha rider returned to winning ways with a stage and points classification victory at the Arctic Race of Norway but was off the pace at the one-day Vattenfall Cyclassics WorldTour event in Hamburg last weekend. The tough circuit though suited the characteristics of the 28-year-old who grabbed his fourth WorldTour win of season 2015.
"Everything went how we planned it. Of course we had to gamble a bit. We could not do all the work to catch back the three guys in the front, but we were present and saved forces for the last kilometre. In the sprint we really had control over the situation," Kristoff said of the win. "I need to thank all my teammates. In the end we started here with three guys coming back from an injury but they did a marvellous job for me. No need to say that I am very happy with this prestigious win."
Kristoff started the year in blistering fashion, notching up 18 wins by mid-June to stake a claim as the fastest sprinter in the peloton. Kristoff had then gone to the Tour de France eyeing off the green jersey and stage wins but finished the race empty handed as André Greipel and his Lotto Soudal team bossed the sprints.
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The Norwegian beat a star-studded field at the GP Ouest France-Plouay consisting of Philippe Gilbert (BMC Racing), Tom Boonen (Etixx-Quick Step), Greg Van Avermaet (BMC Racing) and Rui Costa (Lampre-Merida). None however, factored in the final bunch sprint, but was a good test ahead of Richmond.
"My twentieth win is a big one," Kristoff also told Cyclingnews. "To win in the World Tour is always great. I'm really happy about that. Now I'm looking forward to the twenty-first victory. The World Championship is my next big goal."
"I've seen the course on video and it should fit me," Kristoff said. "The climbs are short and technical, and there are cobblestones."
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