Arctic Race of Norway 2013 Results & Final Classification
Norwegian cycling star Thor Hushovd became the first overall winner after producing a memorable home victory on the final stage in Harstad.
- Race: Arctic Race of Norway 2013
- Edition: 1st
- Dates: 8–11 August 2013
- Country: Norway
- Stages: 4
- Overall Winner: Thor Hushovd
- Team: BMC Racing Team
- Runner-up: Kenny van Hummel
- Winning Margin: 9 seconds
- Final Stage: Sortland–Harstad
Table of Contents
- Arctic Race of Norway 2013 Overview
- The World's Most Beautiful Bike Race
- Thor Hushovd Becomes Race Ambassador
- Heroes of Tomorrow
- BMC Racing Team
- Volvo Supports the Race
- Stage 1: Bodø–Bodø
- Stage 2: Svolvær–Svolvær
- Stage 3: Svolvær–Stokmarknes
- Stage 4: Sortland–Harstad
- Final General Classification
- Points Classification
- King of the Mountains
- Best Young Rider
- Teams Classification
- Legacy of the First Arctic Race
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Related Articles
Arctic Race of Norway 2013 Overview
The Arctic Race of Norway 2013 was the first edition of the professional stage race in northern Norway. The four-stage event ran from Bodø through the spectacular Lofoten and Vesterålen regions before finishing in Harstad.
The inaugural race was part of the UCI Europe Tour and attracted a strong international field, including riders from BMC Racing Team, Vacansoleil-DCM, Katusha, Europcar, Belkin, Argos-Shimano, Cofidis and several continental teams.
The event was also part of a busy 2013 road cycling season. LankaSport's coverage of the Tour of Britain 2013 provides another look at professional stage racing from that season.
Arctic Race of Norway 2013 at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Edition | 1st |
| Dates | 8–11 August 2013 |
| Country | Norway |
| Stages | 4 |
| Overall Winner | Thor Hushovd |
| Team | BMC Racing Team |
| Runner-up | Kenny van Hummel |
| Winning Margin | 9 seconds |
| Final Stage | Sortland–Harstad |
The World's Most Beautiful Bike Race
The organisers promoted the Arctic Race of Norway as “The world's most beautiful bike race.” The inaugural event was designed to showcase both professional cycling and the spectacular landscapes of northern Norway.
The peloton travelled through coastal roads, islands, fjords and mountain scenery around Bodø, Svolvær, Stokmarknes, Sortland and Harstad.
The race also attracted large crowds. Thousands of spectators attended the opening activities in Bodø and lined the route to support the riders.
Thor Hushovd Becomes Race Ambassador
One of the biggest stories before the first edition was the involvement of Norwegian cycling legend Thor Hushovd.
Hushovd was named the official ambassador of the Arctic Race of Norway and competed for BMC Racing Team. His involvement helped give the new event immediate international attention.
Hushovd was particularly enthusiastic about racing in northern Norway, a region he had not previously experienced extensively as a professional cyclist.
His participation became even more significant when he won two stages and ultimately claimed the overall title.
Heroes of Tomorrow
The Arctic Heroes of Tomorrow Race was launched in cooperation with the Norwegian Cycling Federation. Young Norwegian cyclists were given the opportunity to experience the event and race on the same roads used by the professional riders.
The initiative was designed to encourage young riders and strengthen the future of Norwegian cycling.
BMC Racing Team and the International Field
The combination of established professionals and promising young riders produced a competitive inaugural event.
Volvo Supports the Inaugural Race
Staging an international stage race across northern Norway required a major logistical operation.
Volvo Norway supplied approximately 70 vehicles for cycling teams, organisers, media representatives and UCI officials.
Team vehicles were marked with team logos and equipped with bicycle-carrying systems, while official vehicles received event accreditation and markings.
Stage 1: Bodø–Bodø
Date: 8 August 2013
Distance: 192.5 km
The inaugural competitive stage started and finished in Bodø. A fast finish produced a victory for Dutch sprinter Kenny van Hummel of Vacansoleil-DCM.
Van Hummel won in 4:23:35, with teammate Barry Markus second and Rüdiger Selig of Katusha third.
Thor Hushovd finished fifth, seven seconds behind the winner, immediately establishing himself as one of the overall contenders.
Stage 1 Top 10
| Pos. | Rider | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kenny van Hummel | Vacansoleil-DCM |
| 2 | Barry Markus | Vacansoleil-DCM |
| 3 | Rüdiger Selig | Katusha |
| 4 | Sébastien Turgot | Europcar |
| 5 | Thor Hushovd | BMC Racing Team |
| 6 | Sep Vanmarcke | Belkin |
| 7 | Matthias Friedemann | Champion System |
| 8 | Kevin Van Melsen | Accent Jobs |
| 9 | Jetse Bol | Belkin |
| 10 | Jonas Ahlstrand | Argos-Shimano |
Stage 2: Svolvær–Svolvær
Date: 9 August 2013
Distance: 156.5 km
Stage 2 took the race into the spectacular Lofoten Islands, with both the start and finish in Svolvær.
Thor Hushovd produced a memorable home victory, winning the stage in 3:38:09.
Hushovd beat Tom Van Asbroeck and Marco Haller in the finish. Kenny van Hummel finished fourth and remained an important contender for the overall classification.
Stage 2 Top 10
| Pos. | Rider | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Thor Hushovd | BMC Racing Team |
| 2 | Tom Van Asbroeck | Topsport Vlaanderen-Baloise |
| 3 | Marco Haller | Katusha |
| 4 | Kenny van Hummel | Vacansoleil-DCM |
| 5 | Sondre Holst Enger | Plussbank |
| 6 | Jetse Bol | Belkin |
| 7 | Yannis Yssaad | BigMat-Auber 93 |
| 8 | Louis Verhelst | Cofidis |
| 9 | Ralf Matzka | NetApp |
| 10 | Tony Hurel | Europcar |
Stage 3: Svolvær–Stokmarknes
Date: 10 August 2013
Distance: 201.5 km
The third stage was the longest of the inaugural race. German rider Nikias Arndt of Argos-Shimano won the stage after a close finish in Stokmarknes.
Kenny van Hummel finished second and Barry Markus third. Hushovd finished fifth, while Van Hummel moved back into the overall lead.
Going into the final stage, Van Hummel led Hushovd by just three seconds, setting up a dramatic final day.
Stage 4: Sortland–Harstad
Date: 11 August 2013
Distance: 155 km
The inaugural Arctic Race came down to the final stage from Sortland to Harstad.
Van Hummel started the day with a three-second advantage over Hushovd. The Norwegian needed to overturn the deficit and win enough time bonuses to take the overall title.
Hushovd delivered in front of the home crowd, winning the final stage in Harstad ahead of Paul Martens and Nikias Arndt.
Van Hummel finished fifth, while Hushovd's stage victory gave him enough time to move ahead of the Dutch rider and become the first-ever winner of the Arctic Race of Norway.
Stage 4 Top 10
| Pos. | Rider | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Thor Hushovd | BMC Racing Team |
| 2 | Paul Martens | Belkin |
| 3 | Nikias Arndt | Argos-Shimano |
| 4 | Russell Downing | NetApp |
| 5 | Kenny van Hummel | Vacansoleil-DCM |
| 6 | Tony Hurel | Europcar |
| 7 | Maxime Vantomme | Crelan |
| 8 | Magnus Børresen | OneCo |
| 9 | Bryan Nauleau | Europcar |
| 10 | Mathieu Drujon | BigMat-Auber 93 |
Final General Classification
Thor Hushovd completed the four stages in 16:09:34 and won the inaugural Arctic Race of Norway by just nine seconds over Kenny van Hummel.
Final Top 20
| Pos. | Rider | Team | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Thor Hushovd | BMC Racing Team | 16:09:34 |
| 2 | Kenny van Hummel | Vacansoleil-DCM | +0:09 |
| 3 | Nikias Arndt | Argos-Shimano | +0:10 |
| 4 | Tony Hurel | Europcar | +0:16 |
| 5 | Paul Martens | Belkin | +0:19 |
| 6 | Tom Van Asbroeck | Topsport Vlaanderen-Baloise | +0:26 |
| 7 | Marco Haller | Katusha | +0:27 |
| 8 | Maxime Vantomme | Crelan-Euphony | +0:28 |
| 9 | Magnus Børresen | OneCo | Same time |
| 10 | Barry Markus | Vacansoleil-DCM | +0:30 |
| 11 | Bryan Nauleau | Europcar | +0:31 |
| 12 | Fabien Bacquet | BigMat-Auber 93 | +0:32 |
| 13 | Jo Kogstad Ringheim | People4You | +0:33 |
| 14 | Mathieu Drujon | BigMat-Auber 93 | Same time |
| 15 | Haavard Blikra | Øster Hus-Ridley | Same time |
| 16 | Davy Commeyne | Accent Jobs | Same time |
| 17 | Dion Smith | Champion System | Same time |
| 18 | Sébastien Delfosse | Crelan-Euphony | Same time |
| 19 | Fredrik Ludvigsson | People4You | Same time |
| 20 | Preben Van Hecke | Topsport Vlaanderen-Baloise | Same time |
Points Classification
Thor Hushovd also won the points classification, adding another major prize to his successful inaugural race.
| Pos. | Rider | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Thor Hushovd | 48 |
| 2 | Kenny van Hummel | 40 |
| 3 | Nikias Arndt | 25 |
King of the Mountains
Lars Petter Nordhaug of Belkin won the King of the Mountains classification.
| Pos. | Rider | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lars Petter Nordhaug | 20 |
| 2 | August Jensen | 8 |
| 3 | Paul Martens | 7 |
Best Young Rider
Nikias Arndt won the best young rider classification after an impressive first edition that included a stage victory and third place overall.
| Pos. | Rider | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nikias Arndt | 16:09:44 |
| 2 | Tom Van Asbroeck | +0:16 |
| 3 | Marco Haller | +0:17 |
Teams Classification
Crelan-Euphony finished first in the teams classification.
| Pos. | Team | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Crelan-Euphony | 48:30:23 |
| 2 | Team Europcar | +0:01 |
| 3 | People4You | +0:05 |
A Historic Home Victory for Hushovd
The final stage victory completed the perfect story for Thor Hushovd. He entered the race as Norway's most famous active cycling star and official race ambassador and finished it as the first overall winner of the Arctic Race of Norway.
Hushovd won two of the four stages, the points classification and the overall title. His final victory margin over Kenny van Hummel was only nine seconds.
The inaugural race demonstrated that northern Norway could successfully host an international professional stage race while presenting the region's spectacular landscapes to a global cycling audience.
The event also became part of LankaSport's growing archive of historical cycling coverage, alongside articles such as the Tour of Britain 2013.
Arctic Race of Norway 2013 Results Summary
- Overall winner: Thor Hushovd — BMC Racing Team
- Points winner: Thor Hushovd
- King of the Mountains: Lars Petter Nordhaug
- Best young rider: Nikias Arndt
- Teams winner: Crelan-Euphony
- Stage 1 winner: Kenny van Hummel
- Stage 2 winner: Thor Hushovd
- Stage 3 winner: Nikias Arndt
- Stage 4 winner: Thor Hushovd
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Arctic Race of Norway in 2013?
Thor Hushovd of BMC Racing Team won the inaugural Arctic Race of Norway in 2013.
When was the first Arctic Race of Norway held?
The first edition was held from 8 to 11 August 2013.
How many stages were in the 2013 Arctic Race of Norway?
The inaugural race consisted of four stages.
Who won the most stages in the 2013 Arctic Race of Norway?
Thor Hushovd won two stages. Kenny van Hummel and Nikias Arndt won one stage each.
Who finished second overall?
Kenny van Hummel finished second overall, nine seconds behind Thor Hushovd.
Who won the King of the Mountains classification?
Lars Petter Nordhaug won the King of the Mountains competition.
Who won the young riders classification?
Nikias Arndt won the best young rider classification.
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