OSLO / KRISTIANSAND (procycling.no): There were few surprises when Norges Cyckleforbund (NCF) presented racers who will participate for Norway during the World Cup in the US Richmond at the end of the month.
There has been much interest around who joins gold contender Alexander Kristoff on the Norwegian six men made. For the first time since the 2009 World Cup, when the whole nine riders got start, Norway can start with such a large number of riders on the grandest WRC exercise.
It has long been little doubt that Edvald Boasson Hagen and Lars Petter Nordhaug would get two of the seats.
Kristoffer Team Katusha-team mate Sven Erik Bystrøm made their cases very good as domestique in his first full pro season, and has also been considered a safe bet.
Alexander Kristoff has previously said to procycling.no that he hoped the aforementioned riders plus Vegard Stake Laengen (Team Joker) and Vegard Breen (Lotto Soudal), were taken out to the mass start.
• Read more: Kristoff laws away gold bonus to the WSC team
Got dream team
Norwegian captain had wanted fulfilled. Helpers he gets along on gold hunt in Virginia is just Boasson Hagen, Nordhoug, Bystrøm, Breen and Laengen.
National Teams Director Stig Kristiansen leaves no doubt about who it should be cycled for the Norwegian team.
– It is well Kristoff who spearheads here. There is no doubt. This team is set up with one goal in mind and that’s Alexander Kristoff chances.
– When he can win the Tour of Flanders, so we can hand on heart say that he can win the world championship this year, commented Kristiansen.
In the U23 class is Team Joker Quartet Daniel Hoelgaard, Anders Skaar Seth, Odd Christian Eiking and Truls Engen Korsæth taken out to ride mass start. Fridtjof Røinås (Team Sparebanken Sør) and Markus Hoelgaard (Team Coop ØSTERHUS) complements made in class where Norway won both gold and bronze respectively Sven Erik Bystrøm and Kristoffer Skjerping in 2014.
• Read more: This World Cup -bragden gave no bonus from associated
On pace exercise in Richmond, Norway is represented by Vegard Stake Laengen and Team Sparebanken Sør Andreas Vangstad. The latter finished third behind Laengen and Edvald Boasson Hagen on NM-time trial in June.
Vangstad: -Should be just fine
procycling.no met Vangstad in Kristiansand like before the withdrawal and asked about the ambitions of Sparebanken Sør-rider in the championship.
– I have not thought that far yet, but I have no desire to go away just to get experience and because it is fun with USA trips. I like to ride fast at least, but location target is hard to say when.
– I do not know how good the level is, but I get a good run, so I am happy, says Vangstad.
– I have not seen so far on the World Cup trail yet but must do it now. It is 53 km and pretty flat, with some bullets. It should suit me quite well, says the former orientation runner.
Truls Engen Korsæth is Norway’s only representative in the U23 class at pace.
The article is delivered by bicycle website www.procycling.no.
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