Kristoff has lucky escape from Algarve crash ahead of Opening Weekend

Volta ao Algarve 2020 - 66th Edition - 1st stage Portimao - Lagos 195,6 km - 19/02/2020 - Alexander Kristoff (NOR - UAE - Team Emirates) - photo Nico Vereecken/PN/BettiniPhoto©2020
Alexander Kristoff (Image credit: Bettini Photo)

This weekend, Alexander Kristoff returns to Opening Weekend for the first time since 2017. The UAE Team Emirates sprinter heads back to Belgium straight from the south of Portugal and two fourth-placed sprint finishes at the Volta ao Algarve.

The Norwegian, who fell victim to an unfortunate crash after the finish of stage 4 on Alto do Malhão, was in good spirits during the final day of the race in Lagoa. After finishing his time trial effort, Kristoff told Cyclingnews he doesn't necessarily expect to repeat past strong performances at the races – runner-up spots at Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne in 2015 and 2016.

Dani Ostanek
Senior News Writer

Dani Ostanek is Senior News Writer at Cyclingnews, having joined in 2017 as a freelance contributor and later being hired full-time. Before joining the team, she had written for numerous major publications in the cycling world, including CyclingWeekly and Rouleur. She writes and edits at Cyclingnews as well as running newsletter, social media, and how to watch campaigns.