It was a return to racing as well as a return to winning for Team Katusha’s Alexander Kristoff as the Norwegian sprinter took on an uphill challenge with success in Thursday’s stage 1 of the 3rd Arctic Race of Norway. The 213,5 km stage began and ended in Harstad with Kristoff earning stages glory as well as taking the first leader’s jersey.

“It’s great to win again. I didn’t win almost all summer so it was about time for me to win again and I’m happy it could be here in the Arctic Race of Norway. Now the team can relax a bit because we already have a win and with only a five-man team, it’s always difficult to win here but my guys did a great job even with one less guy. I was in a perfect position in the last kilometer so I’m happy I was able to pull it off. Of course I wish I had been able to win at the Tour de France, also, but it’s good to be winning again here in Norway. This is just the beginning of my build-up for the Worlds so I’m pleased with the way things have started,” said Alexander Kristoff.

Alexander Kristoff out-sprinted fellow countryman Edvald Boasson Hagen (MTN-Qhubeka) and Sam Bennett (Bora-Argon 18) after almost five hours of racing in the Harstad region of Norway.

“This was a difficult finish, and I was a bit on the limit. Normally I can handle up to 1 km this way but this was longer and it was hard. My legs were quite stiff by the end. In regards to what’s still to come, my climbing legs were not perfect so I will struggle some up here. This was the easiest stage for me and tomorrow should also be good, but the last 2 stages on Saturday and Sunday will be too hard for me. This is my 19th win of the season and I’d like to make it twenty. Maybe I can make number 20 at the Worlds,” said Kristoff, referring to the upcoming Worlds in Richmond, Virginia next month.

With the opening win, Kristoff also earned the general classification lead and will wear the jersey for Friday’s 155 km stage from Evenskjer to Setermoen.

“I was never the leader here last year, so it’s very cool to have this jersey. It’s possible I can keep it tomorrow but after that we will see as stage 3 will be quite hard for me. I’m pretty sure I will lose it on that day, but you never know. I had expectations that I could win today on a course like this but a 4 km climb is hard for me. I think tomorrow will be another day for the sprinters and all of the favorites will again be there at the end. My rivals will be [Bryan] Coquard, MTN [Boasson Hagen], [Sam] Bennett, [Niccolo] Bonifazio, Sondre Holst Enger from IAM. There are many good sprinters here!” concluded race leader Alexander Kristoff.