On the strength of a flawless lead-out by the BMC Racing Team, Thor Hushovd easily won Friday’s sprint finish at the Arctic Race of Norway and took the overall lead.
‘Couldn’t Be More Perfect’
Hushovd’s victory – his sixth of the season and the BMC Racing Team’s eighth in the past 19 days – was his best yet, the Norwegian road champion said. “I was so motivated and it just worked perfectly,” he said. “The crowds have been amazing. There’s not a lot of inhabitants in this area, but it seems everybody has come out. So it couldn’t be more perfect to give them a win in my national jersey.”
In the final moments of the 156.5-kilometer race, BMC Racing Team lined up its other five riders ahead of Hushovd, with Adam Blythe providing the final lead-out. By out-sprinting runner-up Tom Van Asbroeck (Topsport Vlaanderen-Baloise) and third-placed Marco Haller (Katusha), Hushovd earned a time bonus that put him three seconds ahead of Stage 1 winner Kenny van Hummel (Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team) in the overall standings with two days to go.
BMC Racing Team Assistant Director Yvon Ledanois said the result made up for the disappointment of Thursday’s rain-soaked opening stage which saw Hushovd finish fourth. “I’m happy for the team: the riders and staff,” he said. “Today was important, not just for the stage, but for the general classification. So to get another victory makes for good satisfaction.” Hushovd also leads the race’s points classification. With 21 victories this year, the BMC Racing Team has matched its win total for all of 2012.
