Defending champion Alexander Kristoff claimed his fourth straight Eschborn-Frankfurt title on Tuesday.

The Norwegian rider outsprinted Michael Matthews (Team Sunweb) in the final metres of the 211.8 kilometre race around Frankfurt, with Olivier Naesen (Ag2r La Mondiale) snatching the third spot on the podium.

But for the reigning European champion, who owns two stages from the Tour de France as well as titles from Milan-San Remo and the Tour of Flanders, said the 57th edition of the race previously known as the Frankfurt GP was one to remember.

“This edition had more climbing than normal and I knew it’d be harder. In the second loop, I didn’t feel so strong and I was about dropped, but thanks to Troia and Ganna, I was able to hang in there,” he said.

“In the last two laps on the traditional circuit, my feelings changed and I began to believe in the win.

“The team worked very well from the start and in the final with Team Quick-Step to bring in the escapees.

“In the sprint, the Belgian team took control of the situation until Gaviria made a mistake on the last curve, which certainly helped things.”

The 30-year-old has now won the Eschborn-Frankfurt a record four times having done so in 2014, 2016 and 2017.

The 2015 edition of the race was cancelled the day before it was due to take place following a reported terrorist threat.

Best for UAE Team Emirates in this edition were: Alexandr Riabushenko (24th), Simone Consonni (42nd), Sven Erik Bystrøm (49th) and Roberto Ferrari (61st).