It didn't take long for Alexander Kristoff to open his 2015 account, as the powerful Norwegian clocked three stage victories in his season opening Tour of Qatar. His experienced team-mate, Luca Paolini claims that with last year's experiences the 27-year old rider has another stellar season ahead of him and compared the fast finisher to young Alessandro Petacchi.

All eyes will be on Kristoff at the start of this year's Milano-Sanremo and Ronde van Vlaanderen, his first major objectives for 2015. Paolini is appointed to shadow the 27-year old Norwegian in both events, full of trust that his team-mate is capable of improving of his already impressive results from the last season.

In the interview for Gazzetta dello Sport, the 38-year old Italian was full of praise for impressively strong Katusha sprinter, calling him a „raw power” and explaining that the Norwegian was able to show his full potential last year after being taught a professional approach to training.

„He was still raw [joining Katusha], then he was taught how to care about details, nutrition, specific training,” Paolini explained.

Racing along with many decorated sprinters in his long career as a professional, the 38-year old Italian even took a step further and compated Kristoff to Alessandro Petacchi at his best.

„He reminds me of Petacchi at his best,” Paolini admitted. „On a good day he likes to go for a very long sprint, even with 300 meters to go, and it's extremely difficult to keep him wheel.”