Eyebrows were raised when the ASO-backed Arctic Race of Norway was unveiled in 2013 — a bike race in the Arctic Circle, further north than Iceland? But the third edition of the most northerly stage race on the pro cycling calendar, which concluded last weekend, underlined that it is far more than a fleeting gimmick.
Reporter Felix Lowe joined the four-day stage race in northern Norway with his camera, curious to learn more.
Four different stage winners in as many days — plus an overall stage victory for the in-form, Astana-quitting Estonian, Rein Taaramäe — made for some thrilling racing some 300 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle.
And with organisers ASO and headline sponsor Statoil announcing on the eve of the race the extension of their contracts with the category 2.HC event until 2018, it was not only the peloton on whom the warm Arctic sun eventually shone.
There was a buzz as the riders gathered for the start of the race in Harstad, encapsulated by the rainbow that arched across the glistening waters of the harbour. Here’s how the 2015 Arctic Race of Norway unfolded …
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- The 130 riders gather at the start in Harstad, the sleepy port that acts as the gateway to the famous Lofoten and Vesterålen archipelagos. The field includes Messrs Sagan, Bouhanni and Costa – although that’s not Peter, Nacer and Rui, but their less illustrious brothers Juraj, Rayane and Mario. Fear not, though, for big name riders come in the form of Norwegian duo Alexander Kristoff (Katusha) and Edvald Boasson Hagen (MTN-Qhubeka), Louis Meintjes (MTN-Qhubeka), Mathias Frank (IAM Cycling), Ilnur Zacharin (Katusha), Bryan Coquard (Europcar), Sam Bennett (Bora-Argon 18) and Rein Taaramäe (Astana).
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- The breakaway in the opening 183km stage featured five of the six Norwegian Continental teams – Ringeriks-Kraft, Coop-Øster Hus, Frøy Bianchi, Team Joker and FixIT.no – as well as Pro-Continental outfits Topsport Vlaanderen-Baloise and Bretagne-Séché Environnement. The only Norwegian team not to make the break was Thor Hushovd’s development squad, Team Sparebanken Sør. The six-man teams include 12 that featured in the Tour de France including seven from the WorldTour (although illness deprived both Katusha and Tinkoff-Saxo of one rider apiece).
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- Storm clouds gather over the clear waters and coastline around Harstad during stage one. In the distance the jagged peaks of the breathtaking island of Senja – on the menu for the queen stage three – are just visible.
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- Seeing that the Arctic Race is among ASO’s expanding portfolio of events it’s fitting that one farmer should have taken the time to produce the kind of bike art so often associated with the Tour de France. ASO’s involvement means the entire race infrastructure – including the helicopter responsible for the wonderful aerial images and the man who directs the host broadcast, Jean-Maurice Ooghe – are brought in from France, giving the whole affair a distinct Gallo-Scandic vibe.
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- Whoever knew Winnie the Pooh was Norwegian? The teddy bear – complete with flowers, national flags and a sharp pair of Norwegian-coloured Converse trainers – sits on a bike near the village of Nupen on the opening stage.
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- It’s the race’s first visit to Harstad (pop 25,000) since home hero Hushovd sprinted to victory in stage four en route to winning the inaugural 2013 Arctic Race a matter of weeks before his retirement. Stage one concludes with a lap of the city centre and a slightly uphill finish as Hushovd’s heir apparent, Katusha’s Kristoff, takes the spoils.
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- Kristoff’s victory means that 18 of his 41 career wins to date have come on home soil – either in the Arctic Race, the Tour of Norway or the Tour des Fjords. His latest scalp means the 28-year-old can don the leader’s blue jersey for the first time in his career.
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- Kristoff outsprinted Norwegian rival (and Arctic Rave debutant) Edvald Boasson Hagen (MTN-Qhubeka) on a custom bronze-painted Canyon Aeroad CF SLX – complete with Viking-embossed saddle and a Viking-decorated Giro helmet.
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- The intimate nature of the Arctic Race means there’s often a space alongside sporting directors in team cars for eager journalists. This picture of the peloton is taken through the windscreen of the MTN-Qhubeka support car during stage two from Evenskjer to Setermoen – soon to be won by Ireland’s Sam Bennett (Bora-Argon 18). MTN are second in the convoy of 22 cars led by the Katusha vehicle of race leader Kristoff.
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- Asked why the Arctic Race was so unique, race ambassador Hushovd says: “Firstly, it is so far north. Then you have the nature and the mixed terrain of fjords and mountains which makes it both beautiful and hard enough to make an exciting race. There’s riding between the reindeers too – that’s a bit special.” In the same way that the road signage of the Tour Down Under features kangaroos and koalas, the riders are constantly reminded about the local Arctic wildlife in Norway.
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- The riders emerge from a two-kilometre-long tunnel following the first climb of stage three on the island of Senja. They were greeted with astonishing views over the calm waters of Bergfjorden and the small town of Skaland.
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- The majestic Mefjorden provides one of the lasting images of the Arctic Race. It came just ahead of another of the route’s six tunnels that preceded the second categorised climb of the day, the Mefjordbotneidet. This year saw the king of the mountains competition characterised by a new orange salmon jersey following a sponsorship deal with Norway’s salmon farmers. Special prizes include €1,000 worth of smoked salmon, half a ton of Norwegian salmon (delivered anywhere in Europe) and a special salmon-themed meal for an entire team courtesy of one of Norway’s top chefs.
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- The final climb to the alpine-style ski resort of Malselv (3.7km at 7.8%) proves too much for Kristoff, who loses the blue jersey to Belgian stage winner Ben Hermans of BMC. But following his victory in the opening stage in Harstad the Katusha rider is able to swap his blue for green as fans gather to watch the podium ceremonies after an absorbing queen stage.
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- Complete with his showy livery collar, Tore Nysæter, the mayor of Narvik, is one of the VIP guests at the start of the fourth and final stage. On the menu is a 160km ride that starts and finishes in Narvik but includes a long loop around the Nordland coast and countryside, plus three-and-a-half punishing city circuits in a town renowned for its Second World War history.
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- Tinkoff-Saxo DS Sean Yates chats to fellow Briton Russell Downing of Cult Energy Pro Cycling. “Cycling is going more global and a race up here is only a good thing for the sport,” Yates told CyclingTips. “The founders decided they wanted a race in the Arctic and they had good financial backing from Statoil, who I believe are mega wealthy, and decided to get the best organisation in to sort things out. This obviously costs you money but pretty much guarantees you to have a good field and therefore excellent TV coverage. It’s a case of speculate to accumulate.”
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- Winner of the inaugural Arctic Race in 2013 — and now the race’s ambassador — Hushovd talks tactics with his Norwegian Continental development squad, Team Sparebanken Sør, ahead of stage four. Since the start of the race Hushovd’s tip for the overall win had been his former BMC teammate Hermans and when the IAM Cycling team of Mathias Frank forced a threatening break, it was Sparebanken Sør who combine with BMC to lead the chase.
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- After a frantic opening 120 kilometres to the decisive final stage, the peloton heads across the Fagernesstraumen bridge and back into Narvik for the undulating city centre loops that will decide the race. A seven-man break leads by just over a minute with 40km remaining.
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- Overnight leader Hermans has a mechanical just as Taaramäe’s Astana team are piling on the pressure in the first of three laps around Narvik. Although Hermans manages to fight back on, the Belgian is soon dropped as a trio containing his BMC teammate Silvan Dillier, Katusha’s Zacharin and Taaramäe ride clear. Dillier takes the win but is unable to overhaul Taaramäe, who finishes eight seconds clear of the Swiss youngster on GC to add the Arctic Race to his Tour of Burgos win a fortnight earlier. Despite his joy, Taaramäe uses the post-race press conference to reiterate his desire to leave Astana, confirming he is in talks with two teams.
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- The main classification winners gather on the final podium in Narvik: green points jersey Alexander Kristof (Katusha), salmon climber’s jersey August Jensen (Coop-Øster Hus), blue leader’s jersey Rein Taaramäe (Astana – although not for long) and white jersey Silvan Dillier (BMC).
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- The sun sets on the Arctic Race and its trademark painted bicycles, of which there are quite literally thousands peppering the entire course for another year. At the post-race press conference moments later, Hushovd confirms that the 2016 race will return to the city of Bodø for its ‘Grand Départ’ before a double crossing of the Arctic Circle further south. With future ambitious plans including a stage finish in Russia, one thing’s for sure: a fervent support base, stunning TV images broadcast globally to 180 nations, the curiosity of top riders to test their legs in unfamiliar surroundings, and prolonged backing from both ASO and a deep-pocketed lead sponsor, means the Arctic Race is here for the long run.