It was a big Norwegian day on the first leg of the Belgian three-day race Driedaagse De Panne-Koksijde.
Alexander Kristoff won the sprint in a six man group, which also teammate Team Katusha Sven Erik Bystrøm whereabouts.
23-year-old finished last in tetgruppen but did a great job to help Kristoff to victory.
See Kristoff talk about victory in the video window on top!
– Was unsure at the end
– Belgian champion Jens Debusschere is fast. He went not at the end, so I was not sure how much he had to go with. But I took him okay in the end, said Kristoff to the organizer after the race.
When asked what he thinks about teammate Bystrøm, was 27-year-old full of praise.
– He’s a good workout buddy who works hard. He has a great future ahead of him.
– A small breakthrough
Bystrøm was clearly happy to put his mark on stage.
– You could say that this was a small breakthrough for me. I was told to try something even if I had the legs to it, and that I had, he said to TV 2.
Although the U23 world champion had to take the role of domestique, Depp he not the reason.
– It was great to do a job for Alex. That he came up was just okay – Lotto had three man and it would be difficult to do anything on their own.
Bystrøm pointed out that it felt good to be focused on the race, where the Russian team is allowed a råsterkt crew.
Satisfied coach
Stone Eagle is the coach of both Kristoff and Bystrøm. Although he was most keen to boast of the latter.
– He is a rider with extreme capacity, and just need some time to adapt to the absolute top level. Today he sacrifices himself fully for Alex. Such achievements will make him a more independent rider in the future, said Eagle TV 2.
With over 40 seconds down to the main field can be revenge for the second battle for the overall win as Kristoff lost to Sylvain Chavanel in 2013.
– The distance down to the main competitors are large, but there are also several good pace riders six man group he put in. So Alex must make sure to be in front of the next two stages and run an excellent pace.
Bystrøm took responsibility
Lars Bak Protecting and Jens Debusschere was long together in failure, but 3 mil worth of leg clash Bystrøm in front of the main field.
He called his Kristoff and the two Lotto riders Sean de Bie and Stijn Devolder.
Along used quad band scant eight kilometers to catch up duo in front, and the distance down to the main field at that time under 20 seconds.
The six front worked well together, and increased its lead. With 17 kilometers from the finish was the lead up to 44 seconds.
Main Field eventually got up steam, but when the distance was still over 40 seconds with 10 kilometers left to the finish ante one that the breach could go all the way.
Nobody could threaten Kristoff
With less than seven kilometers left certain Lars Boom for alienating the main field and the pace strong Dutchman were joined a few other riders in the experiment.
But the pursuers were quickly eaten up and the riders behind realized eventually that victory stood among the six in front.
With three kilometers to the finish began Bystrøm to encounter the others, who had to use valuable effort to recoup the 23 year old. Thus could Kristoff get a cheap travel and save energy to finish.
There he was in a class of their own, and distanced the competition by a wide margin.
DeBusschere was closest, but never near to chastise Stavanger boy. The victory was his sixth of the season – as many as Mark Cavendish.
Driedaagse De Panne-Koksijde consists of a total of four stages, and ending on Thursday with both hijackers and time trial.
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