Cycling: Alexander Kristoff (Katusha-Alpecin) was crowned the new European Champion today and is therefore the successor to Peter Sagan (Bora-hansgrohe). The Norwegian prevailed in the mass sprint in Herning in front of the Italian Elia Viviani (Sky) and the Dutchman Moreno Hofland (Lotto Soudal). Bad luck had the German Pascal Ackermann, who ended up in thankless fourth place.
Alexander Kristoff just ahead of Elia Viviani in the photo finish
Admittedly, the absolute sprint elite did not start at the European Championships in Herning. In addition to the defending champion Peter Sagan, the two Germans André Greipel (Lotto Soudal) and Marcel Kittel (Quick-Step Floors) were also absent. Pascal Ackermann (Bora-hansgrohe) took center stage for them and promptly finished fourth. In front of him things got really close. Kristoff could only be declared the winner after looking at the finish photo. Viviani felt disadvantaged. He accused Kristoff of cutting his driving line or not giving him enough space. However, the jury decided – absolutely rightly – in favor of Alexander Kristoff. The Norwegian consoles himself with this title after a disappointing Tour de France, which he had to finish without a stage win.