Agent: Alexander Kristoff may move to QuickStep
Jul 04 2017 07:54 pm CET
SUBSCRIBE TO RSS FEEDSNorwegian Alexander Kristoff is likely to move away from Katusha-Alpecin at the end of the season with several other teams having shown interest, according to the rider's agent.
Joona Laukka, Kristoff's representative, told Norwegian broadcaster TV2 that teams like QuickStep and Astana are both interested in his client.
In the case of QuickStep, much depends on Patrick Lefevere's ability to land a new sponsorship agreement for next season.
"There have been calls but the situation with QuickStep still depends on their budget for next year. I have the feeling that their priority is now to settle the budget and they hope to do it this week," Laukka said.
"After that, they can talk more seriously about riders."
QuickStep Director Sportif Brian Holm confirmed his team's interest but added that Kristoff's financial demands may be a problem.
"Kristoff does well in the classics and we are a classics team. He might even succeed in winning the Tour of Flanders again," said the Dane.
"As far as I know, everyone will want to have Kristoff but he is also insanely expensive. It costs a fortune to live in Norway with the oil money they have there. I think it would be a dream for most teams to get Kristoff, and even more if he takes his lead-out with him."
QuickStep is not the only interested party however as Kazakh formation Astana may also want to sign the Scandinavian. According to team boss Alexander Vinokourov, the chance of his team signing Kristoff is about 50 percent.
