Another podium place for Katusha Team, this time in the German one-day race Vattenfall Cyclassics. Alexander Kristoff finished third in the final sprint of the German race, which was won by the home rider John Degenkolb (Argos-Shimano).

The race was characterized by a long breakaway from Jonas Åaen Jørgensen (Saxo-Tinkoff), Michael Schwarzmann (NetApp-Endura), Julian Kern (AG2R La Mondiale) and Garikoitz Bravo (Euskaltel-Euskadi). The four were always kept under control by the peloton, which neutralized their attempt with 50 km to go.

Many riders tried to counter-attack, but the main group, led by the sprinters teams, kept all the attacks under control for a massive rush.

At the end Daniele Bennati (Saxo-Tinkoff) tried to anticipate the sprint, followed by Jose Joaquin Rojas (Movistar), but from behind Degenkolb did a great sprint and crossed the finish line in first position. The second place went to another German sprinter, Andre Greipel (Lotto-Belisol), while Kristoff took the last rung of the podium.

“I’m very happy about my performance,” said the Norwegian rider to Katusha’s webpage, “I was a little bit blocked but I did the best I could. It’s the best result I’ve ever had here, and I have to thank all my teammates for their huge work, especially Rudiger Selig did a very good job in the end in order to put me in the best position for my final sprint. Obviously it’s always great to win and I always try to take the victory, but I think I can be satisfied with finishing third.”