The final stage in the Arctic Race of Norway (2.HC, 15-18/08) brought a lot of spectacle on several fronts. The riders made a habit of starting fast this week, from Lodingen this Sunday. Five men managed to break away after the first intermediate sprint after 27 kilometer, won by Andrea Pasqualon. The escapees were caught during the local laps and Odd Eiking won the mountain sprint.
The peloton crumbled during the nailbiting final. Finally, it was Markus Hoelgaard who managed to leave a group of chasers behind and to win his first pro race, on home soil. In the chasing group, Alexey Lutsenko snaked the victory in extremis from Warren Barguil. Odd Eiking (14th) and Andrea Pasqualon (18th) finished some seconds later, so last named takes the 14th position in the final general classification. Odd Eiking wins the mountains classification and corresponding ‘Salmon Jersey’ and 500 kilogrammes of salmon, after his win op top of Storheia this Saturday and a successful attempt on the climbs today.
Odd Eiking :
« It surprised me to see after the stage yesterday that I was in second position in the mountains classification. I decided during today’s local laps to go for this salmon jersey, because I felt quite good. I wanted to grab the change to take revenge in this Arctic Race, after coming back rather disappointed from the Tour de France. Mission accomplished! »
Stage 4:
1. Markus Hoelgaard
2. Amund Grondahl Jansen
3. Alexey Lutsenko +0:03
14. Odd Eiking +0:20
18. Andrea Pasqualon
33. Loïc Vliegen +3:08
45. Frederik Backaert +5:56
55. Yoann Offredo +7:16
91. Kévin Van Melsen +15:06
Final general classification:
1. Alexey Lutsenko
2. Warren Barguil +0:01
3. Krists Neilands +0:19
14. Andrea Pasqualon +1:23
29. Odd Eiking +16:56
35. Loïc Vliegen +21:56
49. Frederik Backaert +24:51
54. Yoann Offredo +26:24
95. Kévin Van Melsen +38:17
