Alexander Kristoff (Katusha-Alpecin) took an important victory at the Prudential RideLondon Classic ahead of Magnus Cort (Orica-Scott) and Michael Matthews (Team Sunweb).
The 30-year-old had six wins under his belt this season going into the Tour and was aiming for two stage wins before a heavy crash descending the Col d’Ornon ruined his chances, leaving the Norwegian with facial injuries and wounds to his arms and hands.
But the Katusha-Alpecin rider struggled on to place fourth in the Green Jersey contest and today showed points winner Michael Matthews what could have been when he left the Australian in his wake with a furious finish to take the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey Classic title.
“It was great to win here,” said Kristoff. “After the disappointment of the Tour it’s really nice to bounce back and win in London.
“I knew my body was healing after the crash and luckily I had enough strength in my legs today to win. It’s been a long time without a big win for me and I was so frustrated in the Tour, but I knew my head was there; I just needed to get my legs back.”
https://youtu.be/-c5qhN6jHEQ?t=562
RideLondon-Surrey Classic 2017 results:
| 1 | Alexander Kristoff (Katusha-Alpecin) | 4:45:41 |
| 2 | Magnus Cort (Orica-Scott) | ,, |
| 3 | Michael Matthews (Team Sunweb) | ,, |
| 4 | Sep Vanmarcke (Cannondale-Drapac) | ,, |
| 5 | Wouter Wippert (Cannondale-Drapac) | ,, |
| 6 | Jean-Pierre Drucker (BMC) | ,, |
| 7 | Zakkari Dempster (Israel Cycling Academy) | ,, |
| 8 | Sam Bennett (Bora-hansgrohe) | ,, |
| 9 | Rudy Barbier (AG2R) | ,, |
| 10 | Oliver Naesen (AG2R) | ,, |
| 11 | Elia Viviani (Team Sky) | ,, |
| 12 | Jack Bauer (Quick-Step Floors) | ,, |
| 13 | Ben Swift (UAE Team Emirates) | ,, |
| 14 | Michel Kreder (Aqua Blue Sport) | ,, |
| 15 | Danilo Napolitano (Wanty – Groupe Gobert) | ,, |
| 16 | Edward Theuns (Trek-Segafredo) | ,, |
| 17 | Jonas Rickaert (Sport Vlaanderen – Baloise) | ,, |
| 18 | Jonas Koch (CCC Sprandi Polkowice) | ,, |
| 19 | Francesco Gavazzi (Androni Giocattoli) | ,, |
| 20 | Hugo Houle (AG2R) | ,, |
