With designated captain Ben Swift feeling bad, Edvald Boasson Hagen got a chance to chase a second win in the Vattenfall Cyclassics. Having been in a good position for the sprint, he got swamped and had to settle for 15th.

 

Edvald Boasson Hagen mounted a determined bid for a second Vattenfall Cyclassics title but fell back in the dying seconds as Alexander Kristoff sprinted to victory.

 

Boasson Hagen was active over the fourth and final ascent of the Waseberg climb and followed a number of dangerous moves before slotting back into the peloton in preparation for the mass bunch sprint.

 

The Norwegian sat in third position as the riders swept onto the finishing straight but was edged out in a hotly-contested finale and eventually rolled home in 15th position.

 

Kristoff had been forced to kick early as the race reached a break-neck conclusion but held his speed on the long drag to the finish and wrapped up a comfortable triumph ahead of Giacomo Nizzolo (Trek Factory Racing) and Simon Gerrans (Orica-GreenEdge). Mark Cavendish (Omega Pharma – Quick-Step) meanwhile, had to be content with fifth place on the day, one spot ahead of home favourite Marcel Kittel (Giant-Shimano).

 

After the race, Sports Director Servais Knaven was philosophical about the day’s performance and admitted the team would now re-focus on next Sunday’s GP Ouest-France.

 

“It was not a hard race in general today, but when the pace was suddenly upped in the last 30km, some riders were caught out. Edvald, Salvatore [Puccio] and CJ [Chris Sutton] were feeling really good and were in the top 25 riders on that last climb of the Waseberg.

 

“Salva and CJ did some good work for Edvald to get him into position at the end, but he didn’t have that little bit extra that was needed to get him on the podium.

 

“We had planned to ride for Swifty but he felt blocked on the climb, which was unusual for him. It’s a pity he couldn’t stay in contact but he’s in shape so we have to look forward to next weekend now.

 

“The GP Ouest-France is a different type of race and Ben’s really motivated for that, so we will see how he goes there.”