The Norwegian rider of Team Katusha Alexander Kristoff is a part of the Russian roster for this year Tour de France. CyclingQuotes caught him for a little talk about his own personal objectives, the team’s objectives and the green jersey.

Kristoff has set a stage win as his objective for this Tour de France. Today’s stage might turn out to be a little bit too tough for him he says, but you never know how this kind of stage ends. Another big goal for him is the fifth stage. Kristoff is looking forward to the meeting with the cobblestones.  

“I hope for a stage win of course. It is a big goal for me. The second stage [today’s stage] is maybe a bit tough, but let’s see. The cobblestone stage is also a stage I have had a look on and I hope to be at the front when it reaches its climax,” Kristoff told CyclingQuotes.com.

When he was asked about his own chances for ending up with the green jersey in Paris he called attention to the winner from last year, Peter Sagan. According to Kristoff, Sagan has a small advantage.

“Peter Sagan is incredibly strong. He is also strong on the tough and hilly stages so it is going to be difficult. But now I see how it goes in the first couple of days and then I will take it from there.”

The team has before the start of the race pointed out that they will not go for a top spot in the GC. Joaquin Rodriguez, who last year finished on the podium, is at the Tour for getting better after a crash. He will not be able to keep up with the other GC riders.

“Rodriguez is here for getting better after his crash, but will of course seek the opportunities he gets. In the GC we count on Yuri Trofimov, but we are here for the stage wins on the flat and hilly stages. It’s there we have a good team,” Kristoff finishes.