The last Scandinavian race
The Tour of Norway puts the end to the Scandinavian races season, after two weeks of intense cycling activity in which the Arctic Race of Norway, the Danmark Rundt and the Ladies Tour of Norway have been contested.
Route
The first stage presents the finish line at the top of the main climb of the four days that compose the race, Kroheia Sokndal (4.8 km at 4.9%), so it can be considered the queen stage and will surely be decisive for the general classification. Stages 2 and 3 are marked as flat by the organization, but they have profiles with more than 2000 meters uphill each, and it is unlikely that they will end with a sprint of the whole peloton. This leaves the fourth and last stage as the only clear opportunity for pure sprinters.
Favorites
Jonas Vingegaard (600) starts as the main favorite after his great performance in the Tour de France, where he achieved an impressive second place. Other climbers who will try to gain time in the first stage are cyclists such as Ethan Hayter (600), George Bennet (400), Thomas de Gendt (400) or Tobias Foss (400). Heavier riders such as Filippo Ganna (800), Mads Pedersen (800) or Alexander Kristoff (600) will try to minimize the loss and recover time back in the following days, with profiles more suited to their characteristics.