The Arctic Race of Norway is an annual four-day cycling race. It takes place in the North of Norway and is located within the Arctic circle and is the most northerly cycling race in the world.
History of Arctic Race of Norway
The first edition took place from 8 to 11 August 2013 and since then this northern event has been on the calendar. Since 2015, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), the world governing body of cycling,has also awarded a higher rating to the Arctic Race of Norway. The event is organized by the ASO (Amaury Sport Organization) in close cooperation with the Arctic Race of Norway organization. The ASO also organizes the world-famous Tour de France.
Daylight and TV
This cycling event takes place in the three northernmost counties in Norway. In the summer there is a very long time of daylight in this part of the world. As a result, it is also possible to drive stagesin the evening, which is attractive for the organizers and sponsors, because the TV broadcasts can then take place in prime time.
The route of the Arctic Race is different every year and with it there are different finish places every year. Since the first edition in 2013, the Norwegian towns of Tromso, Bodo, Hammefest and Narvik have been the host of the finish of the Arctic Race of Norway.
Since the first edition of the Arctic Race of Norway in 2013, each edition has had a different overall winners.
The winners of the Arctic Race of Norway
- 2013 – Thor Hushovd (Norway)
- 2014 – Steven Kruijswijk (The Netherlands)
- 2015 – Rein Taaramäe (Estonia)
- 2016 – Gianni Moscon (Italy)
- 2017 – Dylan Teuns (Belgium)
- 2018 – Sergej Chernetsky (Russia)
2019 Arctic Race of Norway
The Norwegian 2019 cycling race will take place from August 15 to August 18 2019. It will start on the Lofoten Islands. For the first time in the history of the Arctic Race, there will be a summit finish at the Storheia, which has an average gradient of 11.8 per cent. The Arctic Race of Norway organisation have called this mountain the ‘Norwegian Mont Ventoux’.
