The Tour of Norway is at risk of not taking place in 2026 for both men and women. The Norwegian government has proposed abolishing subsidies for organizing international cycling races. These subsidies (approximately 850,000 euros) accounted for about fifty percent of the budget used by the Tour of Norway organizers.
Roy Hegreberg, race director of the Tour of Norway, responded angrily to the Norwegian government's decision in TV2. He is sounding the alarm: "If they do not reverse this decision, we will probably have to cancel the race. Then we will need a new source of income that we haven’t had in a decade."
"It is completely unrealistic to organize a cycling race in 2026 without all those millions (Hegreberg is referring to kroner here). International cycling races rely on support from politics and sponsors. Without government backing, the race is not viable. I think politicians badly misunderstand what cycling in Norway needs," he concludes.
The Tour of Norway is 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 the men's.
