Team Katusha’s leader Alexander Kristoff took 5th place in the first stage of the 2.1 race Tour des Fjords, which started today in Norway. Kristoff finished in the main bunch right behind the stage winner Jérôme Baugnies from Wanty.

“The stage was too hard for me. Yes, we fought during the whole stage, as we do in every race; in the final I had to answer to a number of strong attacks. The team was very good today, but the stage did not suit my characteristics. We still have 4 stages ahead, where I am sure we will have more chances for success,” explained Alexander Kristoff.

The first stage of 161 km from Bergen to Ulvik was characterized by the long-day 9-man breakaway with an advantage of 3 minutes. On the penultimate climb with 22 km to go as result of work from a few teams, including Team Katusha, the breakaway was caught. Right after that moment new attacks began from the peloton, but nobody could get any serious advantage.

With 4 km to go on the final short but very steep climb, Marco Marcato from Cannondale was the rider who attacked. Alexader Kristoff, who stayed in front of the group, immediately followed him. But at the steepest part of the climb the peloton neutralized this attack.

In the final 2 km the peloton came back together, but just before the finish Jérôme Baugnies from Wanty did a brave attack, taking the stage victory.

Second place was Magnus Cort from Cult Energy Vital Water; third was Sondre Holst Enger from Team Sparebanken. Alexander Kristoff was among the leaders with his 5th position.

“Despite the stage not being ideal for us by its profile, we tried to get the maximal possible result. The team was in front almost all the time, while in the final Alexander Kristoff did his best to finish among the leaders. We were close to the stage victory, but the rivals were really strong. We have the stages in front of us which suit us more. The race has just begun,” added sports director of Team Katusha Torsten Schmidt.

Tomorrow will be held the second stage of the Tour des Fjords – 203,2 km from Eidfjord to Haugesund.