Alexander Kristoff (35) is Norway’s big hope in WC next weekend, but admits illness has set him back in the run-up. In search of form in the toilet, a rollover on Saturday ruined him.
Less than 10 minutes ago
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While several riders, including the rest of the Norwegian team of six for the men’s joint start, are already on the field in Australia, Alexander Kristoff is clearing the final preparations for the World Championship in Belgium this weekend.
Both Kristoff himself and coach Stein Ørn previously admitted to having taken “one chance” having the departure for Australia so close to the joint start of the World Cup, which will be held on 25 September.
On Saturday he raced in the Primus Classic, where a rollover two kilometers from the end prevented him from fighting for the win.
- The race was broadcast live on Discovery +.
He later revealed that he struggled with an illness that led to the race.
– I didn’t feel at all along the way. I’ve just been sick enough for a week. But in the end I felt really good. But suddenly around a corner where I was sitting very well positioned in the front in fifth position and I thought I was escaping trouble, then I get a bike in my head and I am confronted, Kristoff writes to VG.
The Norwegian finally finished in 58th place, almost two minutes behind the winner Jordi Meeus.
– I think I could fight for the win. Quite annoying that pro cyclists aren’t able to make simple 90-degree turns, writes Kristoff, adding a winking emoji.
The veteran, who has silver as the best result at the World Cup early in his career, says he escaped the rollover with no particular injuries.
When asked about the period of illness, he answers:
– I’m not sure what it was, but I had a fever for two days. The runny nose is yellow and brown, so it’s the bacteria, and not the coronavirus, writes Kristoff, who told the Compact Group podcast earlier this year that he thinks he was infected with the coronavirus shortly before the Tour de France.
With the toilet around the corner, he’s not sure what his sick period has done to him.
– I don’t feel exactly where I want to be. The disease has probably set me back a bit. But when you’ve been sick, you get back in shape quickly, so maybe it’ll be very cool in a week. I also have another lap tomorrow (Sunday), so I hope to feel a little better tomorrow and that today’s rollover won’t make me go back, says Kristoff, who will participate in the Gooikse Pijl on Sunday.
Kristoff rode his first toilet in the elite class in 2010 when Thor Hushovd became world champion in Geelong, Australia.
This year the toilet was again moved to Australia, this time to Wollongong. Kristoff, 35, has been designated as such “self-styled captain” for the Norwegian team at the men’s joint start.
The championship starts already on Sunday night, with both female and male rhythms (Andreas Leknessund and Tobias Foss as Norwegian participants). The WC ends with the joint male departure on Sunday 25 September.
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