After having won both the second and fourth stages of the race, Hushovd secured the overall victory in the race, which has been characterized as a huge success by participants, sponsors, TV producers and the public.
“I’ve won bigger races in the past but this one is very important for me and for my country”, the 2010 world champion Hushovd said to Cycling News at the finish. “. I’m proud of what I’ve done but I’m even prouder of what my country has done for cycling this week. For Norwegians, this is the small Tour de France and they wanted it to look the same with the same enthusiasm. I don’t know if I’ll be the race ambassador forever but for sure, the race has a great future.”
On August 8-11 the magnificent landscapes of Nordland and Troms hosted the first edition of this brand new stage race. The race started in the town of Bodø with a second two-day stage in Lofoten, one of the jewels of the country. From one fishing port to another, the route will only rarely stray from the coast. The peloton continued its journey to Vesterålen on day three and ended up in the town of Harstad.
The organizers have already started to plan next years’ race. The route will probably be placed further to the north, with towns as Tromsø, Hammerfest, Alta and Kirkenes being mentioned as stage locations, NRK writes.
