Minister Jon Georg Dale guest of honour at Tour de France

July 17 th 2018 - 20:18

Norway was honoured on stage 10 of the Tour de France, with the presence of a delegation from the Arctic Race of Norway, inspired by the biggest cycling race in the world. The northernmost race on the planet begins in one month.

The Norwegian Minister of Agriculture and Food, Jon Georg Dale, was the guest of honour today. The Minister followed the race from one of Norwegian broadcaster TV2’s cars.

The Minister said it was a unique experience to follow the Race and meet the crowd in front of the riders.

– Tour de France shows how sports events can create and support strong brands in a way that reaches far longer than to the core sports audience. Our own Arctic Race of Norway is broadcasted on TV in 190 countries, and is a good example of how sports events can be used to promote our own country as a travel and food destination and create values for the businesses in Norway, Dale said.

The crowd was treated to a one of a kind show on the final 200 m of the stage: a contest between cycling World Champion Thor Hushovd first on roller skis, and then on his bicycle, against cross-country skiing World Champions Finn Hågen Krogh and Didrik Tønseth on their roller-skis.

Thor Hushovd, twice winner of the Tour de France green jersey and ten times stage winner was happy to be back in Tour de France. He thinks that the Norwegian Day at Tour de France is a great way to celebrate cycling and Norway, and an opportunity to give attention to the 2018 edition of Arctic Race of Norway, that will kick off in one month.

- Tour de France has a special place in my heart, and I am happy to have the opportunity to experience the race up close this year again, and at the same time have some fun competing with fellow Norwegian athletes. Today’s Sprint Challenge gave me the opportunity to show the fans that my sprinting legs are still good.

His competitors Didrik Tønseth and Finn Hågen Krogh, cheered the crowd of Tour de France.

- Just being on the epic Tour de France today was fantastic. I have experienced a lot as an athlete, but the atmosphere and the people here are something special. I hope we can create such a great atmosphere when we have the Arctic Race of Norway in my home county Finnmark next month, Krogh said.

Tønseth had a great time competing against Hushovd as he did on Norwegian day last year:

- It was great fun to have the opportunity again to compete against a ten-fold stage winner of Tour de France and former World Champion in the finishing straight in front of this fantastic crowd. It was a nice break from the preparations for the next said

The Arctic Race of Norway support the heroes of tomorrow

Norwegian youngsters Martin Bugge Urianstad and Ludvik Aspelund Holstad proved the talent of the next generation of Norwegian cyclists, by finishing 12th and 50th among 15 000 riders competing in L’Etape du Tour two weeks ago. They got to participate in the race as part of the Heroes of Tomorrow program, supported by Equinor, main partner of the Arctic Race of Norway. August 18 they will take part in the Arctic Heroes of Tomorrow race in Hammerfest, Norway, where 7 Norwegian regional teams and 5 international teams will participate.

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