Alexander Kristoff believes that he and Edvald Boasson Hagen will be able to put their differences behind them in time for the World Championships in Norway next September. Compatriots Kristoff and Boasson Hagen have not spoken since falling out at the Worlds in Qatar, where they finished sixth and seventh.
Kristoff felt that Boasson Hagen had gone against the pre-existing plan to work for him in the finale and raced for himself, something he is still sure of almost two months on. The Dimension Data rider defended his actions, saying that he had made a mistake in the lead-out. Aside from the post-race debrief, there has been no attempt to clear the air, but with a shot at a home win, Kristoff thinks that they can move past it.
"It's not like we usually talk during the off-season before. For sure, maybe we should have cleared things, we tried after the race, but it didn't really work. He felt maybe he did the best he could but I felt that he didn't do his job at all. We have agreed to disagree," said Kristoff. "For sure, we don't have enough top athletes that can win in Bergen so, of course, both myself and Edvald should do the race because we both have a chance to win. We have to figure out how to get the best out of it."
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When asked who they would be working for, Kristoff quickly responded "Norway." The course is very different to the one out in Qatar, which was a clear-cut chance for the sprinters. In Bergen, the riders will tackle a hilly route that could see the bunch break up, particularly if the conditions take a turn for the worse. This, says Kristoff, gives Norway an opportunity to play different tactics – and would likely keep the two riders from clashing out on the road again.
"For sure we are different riders. I am normally faster in a sprint, and he is stronger," he said. "We should play our cards. He should have his best chance at going with the top guys in the climb and I will try to stay up front and if it comes back together then I will try to sprint for victory. I think we can make it work.
"This year, I felt it was a way better race for me but the feeling I got after the race looking at the sprint it was like he sprinted for himself. I was screaming at him for a few hundred metres before he went. I was really angry after it and when I talk about it now I'm still angry about it but it's not like I think about it much anymore only when I talk with guys like you who bring it up," he added with a laugh.
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