Finland and the footsteps of Van der Poel
* For the first time, the world’s northernmost race will venture outside Norway, with the finish of the second stage taking place in the town of Kilpisjärvi in Finland.
* The first two days will give sprinters the opportunity to show off their prowess. The general classification will then be decided over the weekend stages, with a top finish in Målselv on Saturday and a climb to the line in Harstad on Sunday.
Arctic Race of Norway: (July 23, 2021) The Arctic Race of Norway is an event people deeply missed in 2020. Lovers of breathtaking scenery as well as cycling experts have a special feeling for the northernmost bike race. Since 2013, the sprint finishes – made popular in Scandinavia by Thor Hushovd who won the inaugural edition and has always been the ambassador of the race – as well as the hard-hitting and hilltop finals have thrilled fans by offering unpredictable races. In seven editions, Alexander Kristoff, Steven Kruijswijk, Sam Bennett, Silvan Dillier, Rein Taarämae, Danny van Poppel, Gianni Moscon, John Degenkolb, Dylan Teuns, Mathieu van der Poel, Bryan Coquard and Alexey Lutsenko have put their respective skills to good use. . Some of them grew up in the Arctic Race of Norway before leaving for new conquests. The suspense often lasts until the last moments. Two years ago, the general classification was still unclear since the first riders crossed the finish line during the last stage. In the end, Kazakh rider Alexey Lutsenko won the general classification by one second, ahead of French national champion Warren Barguil. Elsewhere, if the general public did not yet know what cyclo-cross prodigy Mathieu van der Poel was capable of achieving in road racing, the images of the Arctic Race of Norway broadcast around the world heralded in 2018 and 2019. which would spice up the first week of the Tour de France 2021.
The first of Van der Poel’s three stage victories took place in Kirkenes, near Russia. For the first time in its eight editions, the Arctic Race of Norway will cross a border to complete the second stage in Finland. Also for the first time, the event will start in Tromsø, the most emblematic city in northern Norway and the finish point for the 2014 and 2017 editions. The first stage, on Thursday 5 August, will take the riders south to complete a loop before returning to the city. Before reaching the final circuit, the peloton will pass through Ishavskatedralen (the Arctic Cathedral) before crossing from the mainland to the island via the Tromsø Bridge. The riders will then complete three laps of an 8.5 km circuit. A categorized climb (1.2 km at 8%) 2.5 km from the finish will stretch the peloton before reaching the finish line, where the winning rider will make his name in the history books alongside those of Alexander Kristoff and Dylan Teuns, the two previous winners in Tromsø.
On the second day of racing, the Arctic Race will visit Nordkjosbotn for the first time. On a day of premieres, riders will then make the Arctic Race’s inaugural foray outside Norway, with the final 12 kilometers taking place in Finland. Earlier in the stage, the riders will follow the Storfjord before entering a valley which climbs steadily to an altitude of 500 m in Kilpisjärvi. Despite four categorized climbs, this 172 km stage should be one for sprinters unless the wind allows for splits in the peloton.
The third day will have an air of déjà vu. From Finnsnes to Målselv, the 184.5 km route planned for the third stage is almost identical to that undertaken on 15 August 2015, during the third edition of the race. The only difference is that the peloton will complete the first loop on the island of Senja in the reverse direction of four years ago, when the Belgian Ben Hermans was victorious. In 2021, this major stage will offer riders five opportunities to accumulate climb points, including the final ascent to a finish at the top of the ski resort of Målselv (3.7 km at 7.8%). The battle for places in the general classification should be played out in the climbs leading to the “Alpine Village”.
If the public may consider the last stage of the Tour de France as a simple walk in the park for its participants, the same cannot be said for the Arctic Race. The fourth stage, a 161 km race between Gratangen and Harstad, is tailor-made for punchers. Gratangen will host the race for the first time. Taking place in a magnificent setting of fjords, the first part of the final stage will see the runners climb three categorized climbs. The race will then end with an 8.5km circuit in Harstad, which was also the highlight of the very first edition of the race, won by local favorite Thor Hushovd. His compatriot Alexander Kristoff will also win the first stage there in 2015. The 2021 winner will have to successfully climb two ascents of the hill of Novkollen (1.4 km at 6%), before proving his strength on a final slope towards the line d ‘arrival.
Arctic Race of Norway 2021 route:
* Thursday August 5, stage 1: Tromsø – Tromsø, 142.4km
* Friday August 6, stage 2: Nordkjosbotn – Storfjord / Kilpisjärvi, 177.6km
* Saturday August 7, stage 3: Finnsnes – Målselv, 184.5km
* Sunday August 8, stage 4: Gratangen – Harstad, 163.5km