Alexander Kristoff’s (Katusha) reign in Norway would continue today as he would take the sprint victory on stage 2. Jasper Stuyven (Trek Factory Racing) was 2nd and Asbjorn Kragh Andersen (Trefor – Blue Water) was 3rd.
MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsung would have a prominent presence in the sprint finale with Edvald Boasson Hagen taking 4th place today while Kristian Sbaragli was also in the mix, crossing the line 6th. Once again our African team put in a great team effort to keep Eddy and Kris out of trouble on another tough day. The boys were particularly good during the technical run in to the line.
Things weren’t made any easier today by the rain bucketing down for most of today’s 207km stage, making it an arduous day of racing despite there being very little climbing. 3 of the local Norwegian riders tried their luck in an early break but all knew that their day out front would only be a cameo of sorts. With 20km to go, the race was all together and Joker, Katusha and MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsung were all attentive at the head of the race, keeping things together.
The ideal situation would have been to get Eddy on the podium, gaining some bonus seconds for the GC battle but it was not to be. Katusha were dominant once again as they delivered Kristoff to another stage win.
Alex Sans Vega – Sport Director
