The Arctic Race of Norway kicked off with a stage win for Corbin Strong. The New Zealander from Israel-Premier Tech was the fastest in the bunch sprint after a soaking wet stage. His teammate Riley Sheehan finished second, with Rasmus Tiller in third. Rick Pluimers (fourth) and Jenthe Biermans (fifth) completed the top five.
The opening stage of the Arctic Race of Norway ran from Borkenes to Harstad. In the 182-kilometer stage, the riders had to climb the Storjorda twice (1.5 km at 6.9%), then the Sollia climb (1.8 km at 4.2%), and then Storjorda again. After the last summit, there were still thirty kilometers to the finish over rolling terrain. The finish in Harstad also featured a slight uphill.
Borkenes) Harstad)Rockets on the offensive
Despite the bad weather in northern Norway, the riders were clearly motivated. Attacks went off left and right in the early phase. Kevin Inkelaar also made a move: the 28-year-old Unibet Tietema Rockets rider crossed the first Storjorda climb in first place.
However, the definitive breakaway formed later. Included in the group was Abram Stockman, another Rockets rider. The Belgian initially went away with Romain Combaud (Picnic PostNL), Vetle Torin Eskedal (Norwegian selection), and Storm Ingebrigtsen (Coop-Repsol). Later, Fredrik Dversnes (Uno-X Mobility) and Georg Rydningen Martinsen (Lillehammer CK) joined them.
Heading for a sprint
The six would color the grey day but wouldn't contest the victory. At thirty kilometers from the finish, at the top of the final Storjorda ascent, their adventure came to an end. It was Equipo Kern Pharma that closed the last gap and then kept the pace high. The Spanish team clearly wanted to make the race hard, after which their rider Mats Wenzel launched an attack. The Luxembourger opened a gap but was unable to hold off the peloton on his own. He soon faded back.
There were a few more attacks afterward, but it ultimately came down to a sprint in Harstad. Karsten Larsen Feldmann (Coop-Repsol) launched the sprint from far out in the hope of surprising the others. That didn't work, as Corbin Strong and his teammate Riley Sheehan overhauled the 22-year-old Norwegian well before the finish. Sheehan then did not push further to pass Strong, allowing the New Zealander to claim a convincing victory. He also takes the first leader's jersey.
Arctic Race of Norway| Rank | Rider | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 04:02:22 | |
| 2 | " | |
| 3 | " | |
| 4 | " | |
| 5 | " | |
| 6 | " | |
| 7 | " | |
| 8 | " | |
| 9 | " | |
| 10 | " |
