Alexander Kristoff (Katusha) repeated last year's win in the morning stage on the final day of the Driedaagse van de Panne. Delivered perfectly by teammate Rüdiger Selig, he held off an impressive list of top sprinters, and the huge number of fast finishers made the victory all the more sweet for the Norwegian.

With his victory in today's stage, Alexander Kristoff is coming into form ahead of the Tour of Flanders where he ended up in the top 15 last year. He was 8th in Milan-Sanremo and was in the top-20 in Gent-Wevelgem, and today's victory proves that the Norwegian is getting better and better.

He used his knowledge from last year's victory in the exact same stage to position himself perfectly ahead of the final sprint. He knew that positioning ahead of the last corner with 350 meters was vital, and teammate Rüdiger Selig did an impressive sprint to ensure that his team captain entered that bend ahead of his rivals.

Kristoff opened up his sprint just moments later, and nobody was able to pass the powerful Norwegian. Sacha Modolo (Bardiani-CSF Inox) was 2nd and Elia Viviani (Cannondale) third.

Unsurprisingly, it was a hugely satisfied Norwegian who met the press after the stage.

"I am really happy about this win," he said. "I wanted this victory and I managed to get it. Katusha did a perfect race today! I thank all my teammates and especially Rüdiger Selig who was really superb in the final. It was important to stay in front after the last corner, I took a good gap over the rivals and I managed to keep it even though I started my sprint quite early. But it worked out!"

Most of the world's sprinters are gathered in Belgium this week, and the strong list of contenders did no go unnoticed by the bronze medallist from last year's Olympic road race.

"I knew the stage because I won it last year, so together with the team we could get the best strategy to win," he told. "I am very happy – all the best sprinters are here, so it is a huge satisfaction."

With his win, he took over the leader's jersey from Arnaud Demare (FDJ). He was in the exact same position in last year's race where he ended up being severely beaten by Sylvain Chavanel (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) in the fight for overall victory.

With Kristoff's limited time trial abilities and Chavanel looming only 10 seconds in arrears, a similar scenario is highly likely in this afternoon's final race against the clock. However, the Norwegian promises to fight for his jersey.

"Now I am leader of general classification, exactly as in 2012. I will try to do my best in time trial," he said.

Starting at 14.45, you can follow the final time trial on CyclingQuotes.com/live.