After ominous reports, the Tour of Norway is now officially canceled

Dark clouds were already looming over the Tour of Norway for men and women, but the upcoming editions of this multi-day cycling race have now been officially canceled. Due to discontinued government subsidies, there are no longer sufficient financial resources to organize the events.

"After the surprising government budget cuts, there is no financial foundation to continue working on next year’s event," reads a press release. "The board of Fjords Cycling, the driving force behind the Tour of Norway, has therefore decided to cease activities related to the event."

Fjords Cycling is fully owned by volunteer cycling clubs and does not have enough capital or capacity to organize the race independently. The subsidies (approximately 850,000 euros) from the Norwegian government accounted for about fifty percent of the Tour of Norway’s budget.

A bolt from the blue
"I respect that the parliament sets priorities, but I would have preferred prior contact. This came as a bolt from the blue, and there was little willingness to engage in dialogue with us," laments Roy Hegreberg, race director of the Tour of Norway.

"A ten-year collaboration between the government, the business community, and volunteers is now suddenly disappearing. With it also goes the positive impact the race has had on both the cycling sport and local communities."

Return in 2027?
However, no definitive cancellation seems imminent, as the organization hopes to make a comeback in 2027. "We will do everything to ensure this is a temporary setback and not the end of the Tour of Norway."

The Tour of Norway was scheduled for May 28 to 31, 2026, for the men and June 1 to 3 for the women. Mie Ottestad won the women's race last season, Matthew Brennan took the victory in the men's event.