The Arctic Race of Norway is known for many things, its grand panoramas, intricate fjords and icy seas as synonymous with the race as the competitive cycling on show. Past editions have been the scene for riders to come of age before going on for further conquests in the future.
If the general road cycling-watching public didn’t know yet what cyclo-cross prodigy Mathieu van der Poel was able to achieve on the road, the images of the Arctic Race of Norway broadcast worldwide announced in 2018 and 2019 what was going to spice up the first week of the 2021 Tour de France.
Tight finishes are also synonymous with the racing there, the overall win often hangs in the balance until the dying moments.
Two years ago, the general classification was still unclear as the first riders crossed the finish line on the conclusive stage. Ultimately, Kazakh rider Alexey Lutsenko won the overall by a second, ahead of French national champion Warren Barguil.
For the first time in its eight editions, the Arctic Race of Norway will venture outside Norway’s borders, finishing Stage 2 in Finland. It will also be the first time the event will start in Tromsø, Northern Norway’s most iconic city and the finishing point for the 2014 and 2017 editions.
The first stage, on Thursday 5 August, will take the riders to the east to complete a loop before leading back to the city. The riders will then perform three laps of an 8.6 km circuit. A categorised climb (1.2 km at 8%) with 2.5 km to go will stretch the peloton out before it reaches the finish line.
On the second day of racing, the Arctic Race will visit Nordkjosbotn for the first time. On a day of firsts, the riders will then make the Arctic Race’s inaugural foray outside Norway, with the last 12 km taking place in Finland. Earlier in the stage, the riders will skirt the Storfjord before entering a valley that steadily climbs to 500 m of altitude at Kilpisjärvi. Despite four categorised climbs, this 177,6 km stage should be one for the sprinters unless the wind enables splits in the peloton.
The third day will run from Finnsnes to Målselv, the 184.5 km route will be the queen stage of the 2021 race. The course will offer five opportunities for the riders to collect climbing points, including the final ascent to a summit finish at the ski resort of Målselv (3.7 km at 7.8%). The battle for general classification places should play out on the climbs leading to the “Alpine Village”.
The fourth stage, 163,3 km of racing between Gratangen and Harstad, is tailor-made for the puncheurs. Gratangen will welcome the race for the first time. Taking place against a stunning backdrop of fjords, the first part of the final stage will see the riders scale three categorised climbs.
The race will then conclude with an 8.4 km circuit in Harstad, which was also the setting for the climax to the very first edition of the race, won by local favourite Thor Hushovd. Countryman Alexander Kristoff would also go on to win the first stage there in 2015.
Stage 1 of the Arctic Tour of Norway Source: ASO
Stage 2, Arctic Tour of Norway Source: ASO
Stage 3 of the Arctic Tour of Norway Source: ASO
Stage 4 of the Arctic Tour of Norway Source: ASO
The 2021 winner will have to successfully negotiate three climbs up the hill of Novkollen (2 km at 5.5%), before proving his strength on a final ramp to the finish line.
Route of the 2021 Arctic Race of Norway:
Thursday 5th August, Stage 1: Tromsø – Tromsø, 142,4km
Live Stream on SBS OnDemand
0015 (Friday early morning) - 0215 AEST
Friday 6th August, Stage 2: Nordkjosbotn – Storfjord / Kilpisjärvi, 177,6km
Live Stream on SBS OnDemand
2200 - 0115 AEST
Saturday 7th August, Stage 3: Finnsnes – Målselv, 184,5km
Live Stream on SBS OnDemand
2120 - 0215 AEST
Sunday 8th August, Stage 4: Gratangen - Harstad, 163,5km
Live Stream on SBS OnDemand
2250 - 0215 AEST
