This postcard-like Tour of Norway started on Tuesday from Bergen. This city which hosted the world championships in 2017 with the victory of Peter Sagan. The Slovak is not there today, unlike Remco Evenepoel who is returning to competition. The Belgian rider has ambitions of victory in this week-long race. A format that he particularly likes. Also note the presence of the young Belgian Cian Uijtdebroeks (Bora). A good climber, he is often compared to Evenepoel.
Today for this first stage, 173 kilometers are on the program between Bergen and Voss. A breakaway quickly takes the lead with six riders: Jokin Murguialday (Rural Box), Stephen Bassett (Human Powered Health), Frederik Muff (ColoQuick), Hakon Aalrust (Team Coop), Eirik Lunder (Team Coop) and the Belgian Jens Reynders (Sport Flanders – Baloise).
The six leading men passed the first two difficulties of the day without any problem. The peloton’s chase intensifies over the kilometres. The last two kilometers at 8.4% on average will already be a first explanation between the favorites overall.