Kruijswijk wins the Arctic Race of Norway

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Alexander Kristoff (Katusha) caught local favourite Thor Hushovd to win the final stage of the Arctic Tour of Norway. The former world champion had broken away with less than 2 km to go, and looked to be on the was to his final career win, but his landsman caught and passed him with about 100 meters to go. Sam Bennett of NetApp was third on the day.

Steven Kruijswijk (Belkin) claimed the first overall stage race win of his career, with Kristoff taking enough time and bonus seconds to move up from fourth to second overall. Lars Petter Nordhaug, also of Belkin, who had led the race earlier, took third place.

The finale saw the changing of the guard in Norwegian cycling. Hushovd looked to have broken clear, and having already announced that he would retire the end of the season, many anticipated that he would be undisturbed in winning the final stage of the race he had won the previous year. But Kristoff didn’t see it that way, and determined to move on to the podium and secure the points jersey, went after the Norwegian hero – a move which proved unpopular with many fans.

The fourth and final stage of the Arctic Race of Norway covered 165 km with start and finish in Tromso. The Kattfjordeidet Summit, the first climb of the day, came after only 19.5km. The stage closed with several laps of a circuit course, which included the 100 meter high Tromso summit.  

Once again, a group got away early. Maxim Belkov (Katusha), Julien Fouchard (Cofidis), Preben Van Hecke (Topsport Vlaandern - Baloise), Nico Sijmens (Wanty – Groupe Gobert), Laurent Evrard (Wallonie-Bruxelles), Romain Pillon (Roubaix Lille Metropole), Fridjtof Røinås (Team Sparebanken Soer), August Jensen (Team OesterHus-Ridley and Adrian Gjølberg (Team FixIt.No) got away before the Kattfjordeidet climb, and built up a lead of two minutes. But by the time they arrived at the feed zone, it had dropped to only 40 seconds, with Van Hecke having already dropped back.

When they had been caught, Andreas Vangstad (Team Sparebanken Soer) looked for his chance, but he was unable to stay away. With 30 km to go, Marcus Faglum Karlsson (Team Ringeriks-Kraft) was alone in the lead, but by only about 30 seconds.

The climb on the circuit course proved too much for Giant-Shimano sprinter Marcel Kittel, who is still looking for his Tour de France form. With some 20 km still to go, he was dropped. Up front, Karlsson was caught and further attacks ensued.

Sebastian Lander (BMC) and Scott Thwaites (NetApp) were able to establish themselves, but the penultimate climb saw the field fly by. The pace was very high and many riders were suffering. Only about 25-30 riders were still together as they started out on the bell lap.

A BMC rider jumped almost immediately, with Thor Hushovd tucked carefully in the small peloton. Katusha led the chase to quickly catch him.

The final charge up the climb slimmed the field down yet again, with Hushovd appearing to suffer this time, but managing to hang on to the group. Kristoff, Gatto and Nordhaug broke clear.

With 1.6km Hushovd took off, catching and passing the leaders and heading for what was anticipated to be the last win of his career. But Kristoff had his eye on the prize as well, overtaking the former world champion with only meters to go to take the win.

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