Alexander Kristoff shows class to power to victory on De Panne opening day

Alexander Kristoff of Katusha returned from illness to claim victory in the opening stage of the Three Days of De Panne.

Kristoff was forced to miss Ghent-Wevelgem, but looked to be in peak condition as he jostled for the winning line alongside Alexey Lutsenko (Astana), Lieuwe Westra (Astana) and Luke Rowe (Sky).

Rowe was struck by a bout of ill fortune when a tyre punctured and he was left trying to catch up the leader after changing wheels.

Mads Pedersen of Stölting Service Group joined him in trying to hunt down Rowe, but he could not make up the ground to haul in the leaders.

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Kristoff held off the Astana pair in the closing moments after sprinting clear with Lutsenko in second and Westra finishing third.

The unfortunate Rowe held on to claim fifth spot.

Kristoff storms to victory in Stage 1

The Three Days of De Panne continues on Wednesday with the 211km stage from Zottegem to Koksijde.

Three Days of De Panne 2016, Stage One

1. Alexander Kristoff (Nor) Katusha

2. Alexey Lutsenko (Kaz) Astana

3. Lieuwe Westra (Ned) Astana at same time

4. Mads Pedersen (Den) Stölting Service Group at 29 secs

5. Luke Rowe (GBr) Team Sky at same time

6. Pim Ligthart (Ned) Lotto-Soudal at 36 secs

7. Manuel Belletti (Ita) Southeast-Venezuela

8. Juraj Sagan (Svk) Tinkoff

9. Sean De Bie (Bel) Lotto-Soudal

10. Marco Haller (Aut) Katusha at same time

General classification

1. Alexander Kristoff (Nor) Katusha

2. Alexey Lutsenko (Kaz) Astana at 1 sec

3. Lieuwe Westra (Ned) Astana at 6 secs

4. Mads Pedersen (Den) Stölting Service Group at 29 secs

5. Luke Rowe (GBr) Team Sky at 29 secs

6. Tony Martin (Ger) Etixx-QuickStep at 44 secs

7. Pim Ligthart (Ned) Lotto-Soudal at 46 secs

8. Manuel Belletti (Ita) Southeast-Venezuela at 26 secs

9. Juraj Sagan (Svk) Tinkoff at 46 secs

10. Sean De Bie (Bel) Lotto-Soudal at 46 secs

Watch the Three Day of De Panne live on Eurosport

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