Alexander Kristoff admits that victory on the Champs-Elysées on the final stage of the Tour de France saved his 2018 season.
The 31-year-old Norwegian's first year with UAE Team Emirates had started off well enough and he won the Eschborn-Frankfurt for a record breaking fourth time but a lack of perfect form in the spring meant the Classics and build-up to the Tour were disappointing by his own high standards.
Along with Dan Martin, Kristoff has pushed through some changes at UAE Team Emirates but his biggest challenge in 2019 will come from rival sprinter, and now new teammate, Fernando Gaviria, who made a surprise move from Quick-Step Floors late in October.
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Cyclingnews sat down with Kristoff in Saitama, Japan, on the occasion of the Saitama Tour de France Criterium, and just after the 2019 UAE Team Emirates squad's first get-together in Abu Dhabi, to assess his season and talk about how and if he can successfully team-up with Gaviria in 2019.
True to character, Kristoff spoke his mind, defending his role as one of the best sprinters and Classics riders in the peloton, while also admitting he will work for Gaviria if the young Colombian proves he is faster in the sprints.
Cyclingnews: Did the Saitama Tour de France Criterium represent the end of your 2018 season or the start of the 2019 season?
Working with Gaviria
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via Cyclingnews Latest Interviews and Features http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/kristoff-i-hope-uae-want-me-to-win-and-not-just-lead-out-gaviria
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