After 16 seasons in the professional peloton, Alexander Kristoff has officially brought his cycling career to an end. The powerful Norwegian sprinter-classics specialist bows out with an impressive palmarès: 98 professional victories, including two Monument wins. As Kristoff reflects on his career, one name stands above all others when it comes to the Classics: Mathieu van der Poel.
According to Kristoff, even legendary riders such as Fabian Cancellara, Tom Boonen, and Wout van Aert fall short when compared to the Dutch phenomenon.
A Career Defined by Consistency and Monument Success
Kristoff enjoyed his greatest successes in the spring classics. In 2014, he claimed a prestigious victory at Milan–San Remo, followed a year later by an unforgettable triumph at the Tour of Flanders.
During the 2015 edition of De Ronde, Kristoff proved his exceptional durability. He managed to stay with Niki Terpstra over the climbs, something few sprinters could do at the time. Terpstra failed to drop him, and in the sprint finish, Kristoff powered to a clear victory.
Five years later, Kristoff added Gent–Wevelgem 2020 to his résumé. That race also marked one of the last occasions where he managed to finish ahead of a rising star named Mathieu van der Poel, who crossed the line in fourth place.
“He Could Have Beaten Them All”
Speaking in the Domestique hotseat, Kristoff was unequivocal in his assessment of Van der Poel’s talent. Despite racing in an era stacked with classics specialists, Kristoff believes the Alpecin–Deceuninck leader stands alone.
“It’s difficult, they could all win,” Kristoff said. “But I feel that Van der Poel is very hard to beat at that moment. He could have beaten them all.”
In Kristoff’s view, even riders at the peak of their powers like Cancellara and Boonen would have struggled against Van der Poel on one of his best days.
Van der Poel vs Pogacar: A Golden Era of the Classics
Now retired, Kristoff says he can enjoy modern cycling from a different perspective. He has particular admiration for the ongoing rivalry between Mathieu van der Poel and Tadej Pogacar, two riders who have defined the Monument races in recent seasons.
“When he has a top day, he’s simply incredible,” Kristoff said of Van der Poel. “Even Pogacar struggles against him then. Well, then you have to be very good.”
Their dominance is reflected in the statistics: Van der Poel and Pogacar have won nine of the last ten Monuments between them, underlining the extraordinary level of the current generation.
“I Just Couldn’t Keep Up With Today’s Level”
Kristoff’s own Monument victories came more than a decade ago, and the Norwegian admits that the sport evolved beyond his strengths in the latter part of his career.
“I won Flanders, and since then I’ve always hoped for a good result,” Kristoff explained. “But I simply couldn’t keep up with today’s level.”
He described the harsh reality of modern racing, where riders are often dropped far from the finish.
“You get dropped 60 or 70 kilometres from the finish. Then you’re just disappointed that you couldn’t be part of the final hour of racing.”
Kristoff rode his final professional race at the Tour de Langkawi in 2025, closing the book on a career that spanned generations of classics racing.
A Front-Row Witness to Cycling’s Evolution
Few riders can claim to have raced against the likes of Boonen, Cancellara, Van Aert, Van der Poel, and Pogacar. Kristoff’s perspective offers a rare bridge between eras—and in his judgment, the current standard has never been higher.
While his own victories belong to the past, Kristoff leaves the sport with deep respect for its present stars and a clear verdict on the king of the Classics.
FAQ
How many professional victories did Alexander Kristoff achieve?
Alexander Kristoff finished his career with 98 professional wins, including two Monument victories.
Which Monuments did Alexander Kristoff win?
Kristoff won Milan–San Remo in 2014 and the Tour of Flanders in 2015.
Who does Kristoff consider the greatest classics rider?
Kristoff believes Mathieu van der Poel surpasses classics legends like Fabian Cancellara, Tom Boonen, and Wout van Aert at their peak.
What does Kristoff think about Van der Poel vs Pogacar?
Kristoff says that when Van der Poel is at his best, even Tadej Pogacar struggles to beat him, highlighting Van der Poel’s extraordinary level.
When did Alexander Kristoff retire from professional cycling?
Kristoff retired in 2025, with his final race being the Tour de Langkawi.
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