Stage 2 of the 4-day Arctic Race of Norway brought another group sprint, this time seeing Team Katusha’s Alexander Kristoff take third place on the day, and retaining the overall lead by 1 second.

“It was a fast sprint. I came from a little too far back with Marco Haller and we waited a bit too long so we were boxed in near 300 m to go. I think I had the speed in the legs so if I had a better run-in for the line maybe I could have taken it. But if you brake with 250 m to go, it’s difficult to come back. Sam Bennett came from my left with a lot of speed and I couldn’t manage to pass the last two guys. I wanted to win again on home soil but the next two days are hard, so we’ll see,” said yesterday’s stage winner Alexander Kristoff.

Coming into the closing kilometers, Team Katusha held court at the front of the peloton and led Kristoff through the final corners. But in the last 1000 meters the riders found themselves pinned to the right-hand side of the course with little room to maneuver and no direct shot at the finish line.

Sam Bennett of Bora Argon-18 came straight up the middle to take the win, followed by Federico Zurlo (UnitedHealthCare) and then Kristoff in third place. The 162,5 km stage from Evenskjer to Setermoen featured an original break of six riders who were brought back before the last 15 km of racing.

With two stage still to ride, Alexander Kristoff continues to hold the blue and orange jersey of the race leader, currently with one second in hand to Sam Bennett and 6-seconds to Edvald Boasson Hagen of MTN-Qhubeka.

Saturday’s stage 3 from Finnsnes to Målselv at 183 km ends with an uphill finish and could prove to be a challenge for the Norwegian sprinter. Kristoff also holds the green points jersey in the 3rd Arctic Race of Norway.