Disappointed Edvald Boasson Hagen: I absolutely dreamed of Gold
Sep 25 2017 12:14 am CET
Photo of Edvald Boasson Hagen by Dimension Data/Nick Muzik
Even though Alexander Kristoff took the silver medal at the World Championships road race in Bergen, Norway, it was a disappointing day for his fellow country-man Edvald Boasson Hagen.
The rider started the day as one of the favourites, particularly for the home crowd, but at the end he couldn't be in the group that fought for the Rainbow Jersey in a sprint final won, once again, by Peter Sagan. "It's not surprising. He is a fighter and incredibly good at it, actually," said Boasson Hagen to procycling.no after crossing the finish line.
"It's nice that Kristoff could get the silver. We raced well today, all of us. We were at the front at all times and everyone did a good job."
At the last kilometres Julian Alaphillipe and Gianni Moscon attacked on Salmon Hill and the rider tried unsuccessfully to stay with them. "I dropped at Salmon Hill. It got a little too difficult. I tried to join the attack at the start but it was difficult to join," he said.
At the end, Boasson Hagen crossed the finish line in the 31st position, one minute and four seconds after Sagan. "I absolutely dreamed of Gold, I had the hope that I was going to be on the top of the podium," he commented. "My idea was to try an attack in the last three kilometres, but when you're not in the group, it's done."
The rider knows everything about photo finishes, being involved in several during the last Tour de France. "There is always something to discuss in a photo finish, but I don't really know how it was. If Kristoff had some extra power, then it's probably extra sour. I don't know how the situation was. Maybe he won silver or he lost the gold, I don't know."
But despite the disappointment, the rider loved riding in his home country. "Along the way, I at least enjoyed the crowds. These were some amazing, fun and well-organised World Championships in Norway."
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