EPA
Alexander Christoff brought to the KATUSHA team a victory on the prestigious one-day race "Round Eshborn-Frankfurt" in Germany. For Christoff it is the success second in a row in Frankfurt after a victory in 2014 (in 2015 race was not carried out
"It was my first race after rather long break therefore I was not absolutely ready to it, as well as in 2014 when I too won. I am in process of preparation for the second part of my season therefore it is quite logical that the first half of race was given me not easy. Several times on circles I had spasms, and I dropped out of group on liftings. But, twice Slava Kuznetsov helped me to return. Once it made it alone. It carried out tremendous race. In the final, yavse remained in group, and everything that it was necessary – to wait. Glory took out me forward before final kilometer then Alexey Tsatevich intercepted me. It it is ideal "raskatil" me. On the finish there was a head wind so I worried that began sprint too early. But, I managed to keep high speed to the finish" — Alexander Christoff told.
The company to Christoff on a podium kept Argentinian Ariel Maximiliano Riqueze from Etixx – Quick Step and Irish Sam Bennett from Bora-Argon 18. Alexey Tsatevich finished the 12th.
Race 206,8 km long started in Eshborna then reached to Frankfurt where peloton passed four circles, each time overcoming lifting Mammolsheyn. Matvei Mamykin became part of an early separation. The group managed to gain small advantage, but peloton kept a situation under control. After the separation was neutralized, from pelotona a series of attacks followed, but for 13 km to the finish the group gathered again then everything was solved in final sprint.
"Round of California" becomes the Following race for Alexander Christoff.
"Yes, this victory confers on me additional responsibility before "Round of California", but I have no problems because of it. On the contrary, better now is under small pressure, than later during more important races" — the bicycle racer added.