Alexander Kristoff has told SBS Cycling Central that he believes the Classics hasn’t quite had a change of guard yet, with Fabian Cancellara and Tom Boonen set to challenge once more in 2016.

“Last year they were injured so we will see this year how strong they are and hopefully I will manage to be good again and fight for the victories in the classics,” the Norwegian told SBS Cycling Central. “I hope I will also be there this year and that I can compete against Cancellara and Boonen and not be dropped!”

He says the fact that John Degenkolb of Giant-Alpecin is missing from the Classics may actually hinder him, rather than help him, as he loses a team that would work for a sprint with his Katusha train.

“For me it would be better if Degenkolb was there. OK, I can maybe lose a sprint but then we have more teams, at least two teams, to work for the same thing. I don’t necessarily see it’s the best development for me that he is injured,” Kristoff said.

The 28 year old says he has found the perfect balance with Katusah, with whom he is racing his fifth season. They allow him to stay at home with his young family whilst trusting him to always arrive in shape.

“I’m happy here and I have developed very well from 2012, when I came here, until now. Every year step by step I become a little bit better,” he said of the Russian squad. “I can stay at home in Norway, even if it’s shit weather they know I will arrive in good shape, so they give me freedom and I try and pay that back.”