Alexander Kristoff moved to 2nd position in general classification of “Eneco Tour”, thanks to his performance in stage 5, 185 kilometers long from Hoogerheide to Aalter…..
the Norwegian sprinter took the 6th place in the final rush, and now he’s 3” far from the leader of general classification Tom Boonen (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) with just two stages to go. The stage was characterized by a four-man breakaway: the group left Dmitriy Murayev (Astana), Mickael Delage (FDJ-BigMat), Sjef De Wilde (Accent Job) and Laurens De Vreese (Topsport Vlaanderen) to go and try their luck, but the escape was neutralized with 25 kilometers to go. With the group in lock step, the teams of good sprinters tried to organize the rush for their leaders, but in the end two roundabouts created some mess: the group had to slow down, and the sprinters were left alone with nobody to launch their sprint. Giacomo Nizzolo (RadioShack-Nissan) took advantage of this, anticipating his sprint with more than 300 meters to go: Jurgen Roelandts (Lotto-Belisol) tried to answer and went really close to pass the Italian rider, but he couldn’t and took the second position. Manuel Belletti (AG2R La Mondiale) completed the daily podium, ahead of Arnaud Demare (FDJ-BigMat), Tom Boonen and Kristoff. The last two stages will be crucial for general classification: tomorrow will take place a 17,4 kilometers long ITT, while in the last day will happen the queen stage.
“I’m happy with my performance in this ‘Eneco Tour’ – said Kristoff – I didn’t enter the podium but I was regular, I’ve always taken good places, that allowed me to be just 3” far from Boonen. It was a strange sprint, there were bad signals in the last kilometers so many riders dropped: we had to slow down, but I think I managed to do a good rush anyways. I know it won’t be easy to fight for general classification, because I’m not a specialist of races against the clock and the last stage will be very hard: but I’ll do my best. After Olympic Games I feel in a great shape, I have strong motivations for this final part of the season”.
KATUSHA MEDIA SERVICE