In the Far North, cycling expands its frontiers

July 8 ^th 2015 - 10:30

What’s more, as during the first edition when the general classification was decided on the basis of bonuses on the very last day, the suspense continued until the very last kilometre of the final stage in Tromsø. It was here that Thor Hushovd was overtaken by Alexander Kristoff, his successor in the ever-growing pyramid of Norwegian cycling, thus failing to end his professional career with a win in front of a home crowd. The crowds along the roadside, as good-natured as ever, didn’t hold it against him.
 
The Arctic Race of Norway is an offshoot of his exploits in the Tour de France, broadcast since 2002 by TV2 and which has developed a link between these two events. Thor no longer rides professionally but, more than ever, he is an ambassador for this race, being the first to have won it. He has a similar role in the Tour de France because it is with champions of his disposition that cycling can expand its frontiers.
 
This trip to Norway surprised me with the enthusiasm of the public, in a part of the world where the number of inhabitants is relatively low. It touched me to see children who had painted “Hushovd”, Kristoff” or “Kittel” on their foreheads. All the factors, including TV audiences which are higher in Norway than the average for the Tour de France, are present to ensure that the Arctic Race of Norway will become a long-term fixture on the international cycling calendar. In just two years, the race has made a name for itself, to the extent that this summer, a record number of Tour de France teams, twelve in total, i.e. more than half of those who will be at the start in Utrecht, will continue with this mid-August event, which is eagerly awaited by the cycling community and fans alike.

Christian Prudhomme
Director of the Tour de France