Imagine the shock on Alexander Kristoff's face when his young teammate, Tadej Pogacar, snatched victory from under his nose at the 2020 Tour de France!
Kristoff, a seasoned leader for the UAE Team Emirates, had started the race with high hopes, winning the opening stage in Nice and donning the coveted yellow jersey. Little did he know that his teammate, Pogacar, would soon become the talk of the cycling world.
"In 2020, our initial goal was a top-five finish for Pogacar, as he had impressed in the previous year's Vuelta," Kristoff revealed in an interview. "But as the race progressed, we realized his potential was limitless. We adjusted our sights, aiming for the top spot, and the rest is history!"
The UAE team, though talented, lacked the depth to challenge the mighty Visma squad, led by Primoz Roglic. With Roglic firmly in control and a time trial looming, the UAE riders adopted a conservative strategy, trusting in Roglic's prowess. This allowed Pogacar to shadow the Visma train, biding his time until the crucial time trial.
"Pogacar had the luxury of riding in their slipstream, conserving energy for the mountains. He arrived at the time trial just 57 seconds behind, a seemingly comfortable margin. But the real test was yet to come," Kristoff explained.
As the race entered its final stages, Pogacar's strength became undeniable. He dominated the Alps, leaving his rivals in his wake. "We realized our initial goal was no longer enough. We had to aim for the win, and it was an incredible experience to be a part of!"
And win he did! Pogacar made history, becoming the first rider to win the Tour de France on debut, a feat he has repeated three more times since. Kristoff, the experienced leader, was taken by surprise. "I never imagined he'd win so decisively, but his talent was undeniable. In training camps, he dominated the climbers, leaving our experienced riders in the dust. We knew we had a superstar on our hands!"
Kristoff's career was filled with successes, including that memorable Tour. Now retired, he reflects on his impressive tally of almost 100 professional wins, including two prestigious monuments at Milano-Sanremo and the Tour of Flanders. But even with such achievements, he couldn't shake the disappointment of missing out on the rainbow jersey of the World Championships.
"I had some tough rivals, like Sagan, Cavendish, and Kittel. They always seemed to have the upper hand, and I knew it would be an uphill battle whenever I saw them on the start line. But the closest I came was in Bergen, Norway, in 2017. I was so close, just inches away from glory, but it wasn't meant to be. It's a bitter-sweet memory, but it's part of the sport's beauty."
Alexander Kristoff bid farewell to professional cycling in 2025, leaving behind a legacy of 98 pro wins and a host of memorable moments. His story serves as a reminder that in the world of cycling, surprises and upsets are always just around the corner!
