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2026 Arctic Race of Norway (2.Pro), Norway

13th edition: August 13 - 16, 2026

Saturday, August 15: Stage 3, Stokmarknes - Storheia Summit (Melbu), 146.5 km

Stage 3 map & profiles

Thomas Silva wins stage three and becomes the new GC leader. Photo: © ARN/Thomas Maheux

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Weather at the village of Melbu, on the route, 6.9 km from the Storheia Summit finish, at 2:50 PM, local time: 14C (57F), cloudy, with the wind from the southwest at 10 km/hr (6 mph). There is a 50% chance of rain, declining to 14% at 4:00 PM. The roads were wet when the stage started.

Rated ascents

• Km 26.8: Storvatnet Summit, 1.8 km @ 7%. Cat. 2
• Km 55.9: Storvatnet Summit, 1.8 km @ 7%. Cat. 2
• Km 146.5: Storheia Summit, 3.5 km @ 11.8%. Hors Categorie

The race: Here's the race organizer's stage three report.

The demanding Storheia climb (3.5 km at 11.8%) promised to be the scene of a major showdown between the favourites for the 2026 Arctic Race of Norway. The first slopes of the “Norwegian Mont Ventoux” allowed the best climbers to break clear and battle it out for victory. Lennert van Eetvelt (Lotto Intermarché) took control in the final part of the climb, but Guillermo Thomas Silva (XDS Astana) countered his attack with 300 metres to go. The Belgian fought all the way to the line in an attempt to catch the Uruguayan, who ultimately edged out his rival to take the win.

The first South American to win a stage of the race, Silva also takes the Midnight Sun jersey, ahead of Van Eetvelt (+10”) and Alessandro Pinarello (NSN, +21”). His triumph on the queen stage of this 13th edition puts him in pole position to claim the overall victory. Tomorrow, his rivals will have 190.5 kilometres to try to dethrone him on the way to Narvik, where the final climb (3.9 km at 6.2%) promises a thrilling finish.

The stage:
The shortest stage of the 2026 Arctic Race of Norway (146.5 kilometres) is also the queen stage, and for good reason: it finishes with the ascent of Storheia, a 3.5-kilometre climb averaging 11.8%. It was here, on the slopes of the “Norwegian Mont Ventoux”, that local rider Odd Christian Eiking (Uno-X Mobility) claimed the finest victory of his career in 2019. And it is here, too, that the standings of this 13th edition are expected to change this Saturday. The overall leader thanks to his results in the opening two stages (victory in Myre, third place in Andenes), Italian sprinter Giovanni Lonardi (Polti VisitMalta) knows that his reign is under threat from the climbers. They conserved their energy during the first two days, waiting for Storheia to make their move.

Wang Baksaas defends his Northern Lights jersey
The pace picks up from the start, which is given in light rain in Stokmarknes, hosting a stage for the second time (it previously welcomed the finish of Stage 3 in 2013). The peloton stretches out, and five riders break clear after three kilometres of racing. Finland’s champion Axel Källberg (Lucky Sport) joins four Norwegians in the breakaway: his teammate Morthen Wang Baksaas, wearing the Northern Lights jersey; his closest rival in the mountains classification, Eirik Vang Aas (Drali-Repsol); and fellow Norwegians Thomas Eriksen (Lillehammer CK) and Aksel Laforce (Ringerike).

The battle for the Northern Lights jersey is already in full swing on the first categorised climb, Storvatnet (km 26.8 / 1.7 km at 7%). Vang Aas reaches the summit first ahead of Wang Baksaas and Källberg, who then surprises his rivals on the second ascent of Storvatnet (km 55.9). He takes the three points ahead of Vang Aas and Wang Baksaas, who retains the lead in the mountains classification by a single point. He doesn’t know it yet, but two hours later he will pull on the jersey for the third consecutive time on the finish-line podium.

Kallberg, the last to resist
After giving the leaders a little more than two minutes’ advantage, the peloton slowly but surely begins to close the gap. It is down to one minute with 70 kilometres to go, as the riders enter the second half of the stage. Caught shortly afterwards, Vang Aas and Wang Baksaas leave their three breakaway companions to continue without them. They still have a one-minute lead at the intermediate sprint in Stokmarknes (km 112), won by Kallberg.

The trio continues its effort towards the Storheia climb, but the gap keeps shrinking. The pack is just 30 seconds behind with 10 kilometres to go, shortly before Kallberg decides to go it alone. The Finnish champion is eventually caught by the peloton 4.5 kilometres from the finish, in the woods before the start of the Storheia ascent. His many efforts throughout the day, and his 139-kilometre breakaway, nevertheless earn him the combativity award.

Silva conquers the “Norwegian Mont Ventoux”
Thomas Gachinard (TotalEnergies) takes control at the start of the climb, with Robbe Dhondt (Picnic PostNL) following closely in his wheel. The favourites, including Lennert van Eetvelt (Lotto Intermarché), Felix Engelhardt (Jayco AlUla) and Alessandro Pinarello (NSN), battle for position at the front. Fabio Christen (Pinarello-Q36.5) moves into the lead with 1.7 kilometres to go, in an increasingly reduced group of contenders, but Dhondt and his teammate Bert Bolle take over at the front.

Van Eetvelt launches his attack in the final 500 metres, but Guillermo Thomas Silva (XDS Astana) is ready. The Uruguayan responds with 300 metres to go and opens up a small gap on the Belgian. Van Eetvelt keeps up the pressure all the way to the line, but Silva holds firm to claim victory at Storheia. He becomes the first South American to win a stage of the race and to take the Midnight Sun jersey, ahead of Van Eetvelt (+10”), Pinarello (+21”), Dhondt (+25”) and Engelhardt (+31”).

Uruguay becomes the 17th country to win on the Arctic Race of Norway, and the 12th to lead the general classification. Will it become the 11th country to win the race tomorrow? The answer will come 190.5 kilometres later in Narvik, with the finish at the foot of the slopes that will host the 2029 Alpine World Ski Championships. In three years’ time, they will crown the best downhill skier; this Sunday, they will celebrate the best climber in the peloton.

Before the stage start, a moment of silence in memory of Finlay Tarling (NSN Development Team), who died Friday in stage 8 of the Tour of Portugal. The NSN Development Team withdrew from the Portuguese race.

In memory of Finlay Tarling
At the start of Stage 3, the riders, teams, organizers, and spectators of the Arctic Race of Norway paid tribute to Finlay Tarling, NSN Development Team rider who passed away yesterday. The Arctic Race of Norway is deeply saddened by the tragic passing of Finlay Tarling. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and teammates.

Complete results:

146.5 kilometers raced at an average speed of 42.021 km/hr

GC after stage 3:

• GC leader: Thomas Silva (XDS Astana)
• Mountains classification leader: Morthen Wang Baksaas (Lucky Sport Cycling team)
• Points classification leader: Giovanni Lonardi (Polti-VisitMalta)
• Best young rider: Thomas Silva (XDS Astana)
• Teams classification leader: Unibet Rose Rockets

508.4 kilometers raced so far at an average speed of 44.137 km/hr

Stage 3 map & profile:

Stage 3 map

Stage 3 profile

Profile of the finishing climb, the Storheia Summit

Friday, August 14: Stage 2, Bø i Vesterålen - Andenes, 180 km

Stage 2 map & profile

Erlend Blikra wins stage two. Photo: ASO/Thomas Maheux

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Weather at the finish city of Andenes at 2:40 PM, local time: 13C (55F), rain showers, with the wind from the south at 11 km/hr (7 mph). There is a 50% chance of the rain continuing through the afternoon.

Rated ascents:

• Km 26.3: Ryggedals Summit, 1.4 km @ 6.3%. Cat. 2
• Km 57: Storvatnet Summit, 2 km @ 4.4%. Cat. 2

The race: Bjorn Koerdt (Picnic-PostNL) broke his collarbone in a crash yesterday and did not start.

Here's the race organizer's stage two report:

Winning at home is a dream for every rider. Today, that dream became reality for Erlend Blikra (Uno-X Mobility), seven years after his first appearance at the Arctic Race of Norway, where he is making his return this week. The 29-year-old Norwegian sprinter powered to victory in Andenes, holding off the efforts of Britain’s Ethan Vernon (NSN, 2nd) and Italy’s Giovanni Lonardi (Polti VisitMalta, 3rd), yesterday’s winner who retains the Midnight Sun jersey. Blikra claimed Norway's 18th victory on home soil, on the race’s 50th stage. It's also the third consecutive year that a local rider, and a rider from Uno-X Mobility, has raised his arms in victory at least once.

With the general classification favourites understandably keeping a low profile since the start, they should come to the fore tomorrow, on the road from Stokmarknes to the Storheia climb (3.5 km at 11.8%). The “Norwegian Mont Ventoux” will host the finish of a potentially decisive third stage in the battle for the 13th Arctic Race of Norway.

The stage:
The sunshine of the previous day gave way to thick clouds as the peloton of the 2026 Arctic Race of Norway set off for the second stage. But the thunderstorms that had long been feared ultimately amounted to “only” a few light showers, during a day that generally dry. Enough to keep the enthusiasm high among the 107 riders setting off from Bø i Vesterålen towards Andenes, a new stage town whose finish line lies 180 kilometres away.

It's a rainy day in Norway. Photo: ASO/Thomas Maheux

The breakaway takes shape at kilometre 32
Numerous attacks enlivened the early afternoon, but no one managed to make the difference. The peloton therefore remained together on the first of the two Category 2 climbs, Ryggedals (1.4 km at 6.3% / km 26.3). Dutchman Darren van Bekkum (XDS Astana) goes on the offensive towards the end of the climb and takes the 3 points in the mountains classification, despite an acceleration from Morthern Wang Baksaas (Lucky Sport). But by taking 2 points, the Norwegian strengthens his Northern Lights jersey, which he had claimed the previous day. And four hours later, he would once again wear the same jersey on the podium.

The peloton about 140 kilometers into the race. Photo: ASO/Thomas Maheux

Another Norwegian, his teammate Simen Evertsen-Hegreberg, made his mark on the descent. He attacks with 148 kilometres remaining, prompting his compatriot Ludvik Holstad (Ringerike), Spaniard Joseba Lopez (Caja Rural-Seguros RGA) and Belgian Victor Vercouillie (Flanders-Baloise) to follow. The four riders broke clear of the peloton and managed to form the day’s breakaway, much later than the previous day, when it had been established from kilometre zero.

A 140.5-kilometer raid
Simen Evertsen-Hegreberg continues to make his presence felt with an acceleration at the end of the Storvatnet climb (2 km at 4.4% / km 57). It’s also when Herman Eriksen’s (Lillehammer CK) pursuit comes to an end; the Norwegian, who had gone on the counter-attack behind the leaders, makes the junction, becoming the fifth member of the breakaway. The escapees remains firmly under control by a peloton led by Giovanni Lonardi's Polti VisitMalta and Jason Tesson's Total Energies. They were the riders who finished first and second in Myre yesterday.

After allowing the gap to reach a maximum of 2 minutes and 15 seconds, the bunch gradually but steadily reels the breakaway riders back in. The gap hovers around the one-minute mark as they enter the final 30 kilometres. The approach to the intermediate sprint in Andenes, held at the first passage across the finish line and offering both points and time bonuses, brings the breakaway to an end with 7.5 kilometres remaining. Guillermo Thomas Silva (XDS Astana) takes the six-second bonus at the sprint, confirming his ambitions in the general classification, which he hopes to take over in the next two days.

Blikra, from local rider to national hero
More technical and narrower than in Myre, the final circuit sees Erlend Blikra (Uno-X Mobility) power to a commanding victory. Seven years after his first appearance here, the Stavanger-born sprinter raises his arms on home roads, becoming the 9th Norwegian to win on the race and securing Norway’s 18th victory in the history of the Arctic Race of Norway. He beats Britain’s Ethan Vernon (NSN) and Italy’s Giovanni Lonardi (Polti VisitMalta), who remains the overall leader thanks to the time bonuses.

Lonardi leads Blikra by four seconds and Sweden’s Teodor De Luca (Lucky Sport) by six seconds; De Luca retains the white jersey as best young rider. With the road set to rise tomorrow in favour of the climbers, Lonardi expects to lose his Midnight Sun jersey. However, he has set his sights on the blue points jersey, which he currently owns too.

Complete results:

180 kilometers raced at an average speed of 45.605 km/hr

GC after stage 2:

• GC leader: Giovanni Lonardi (Polti-VisitMalta)
• Mountains classification leader: Morthen Wang Baksaas (Lucky Sport Cycling Team)
• Points classification leader: Giovanni Lonardi (Polti-VisitMalta)
• Best young rider: Teodor De Luca (Lucky Sport Cycling Team)
• Teams classification leader: Euskaltel-Euskadi

361.9 kilometers raced so far at an average speed of 45.053 km/hr

Stage 2 map & profile:

Stage 2 map

Stage 2 profile

Thursday, August 13: Stage 1, Evenes - Myre, 181.9 km

Stage 1 map & profile

Giovanni Lonardi wins the first stage.

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Weather at the finish city of Myre at 2:50 PM, local time: 14C (57F), partly cloudy, with the wind from the northeast at 11 km/hr (7 mph). There is a 10% chance of rain.

Rated ascents:

• Km 87.8: Karingen Summit, 3.2 km @ 4.8%. Cat. 2
• Km 139.8: Storvatnet Summit, 1.7 km @ 7%. Cat. 2
• Km 155.6: Storeidet Summit, 2 km @ 4.1%. Cat. 2

The race: Here's the race organizer's stage one report.

A sprint was expected in Myre, new stage town hosting the first finish of the 2026 Arctic Race of Norway. That did not stop five brave riders from attacking from the very start, forming the first breakaway of the 13th edition. Although the final survivors were caught with 3 kilometres to go, the efforts were not in vain for Morthen Wang Baksaas (Lucky Sport), the 10th Norwegian in history to pull on the Northern Lights jersey of the mountains classification.

The Midnight Sun jersey goes to Giovanni Lonardi (Polti VisitMalta), who becomes the third Italian to lead the overall classification. The sprinter claimed his first victory of the year, beating Frenchman Jason Tesson (Total Energies) and Canadian Riley Pickrell (Modern Adventure) to the line, securing Italy’s fourth win in the race. It is also Polti VisitMalta's first win here, as the team is discovering the Arctic Race of Norway. Lonardi will be aiming to make it back-to-back wins tomorrow in Andenes, where another sprint finish is expected.

Stage one gets started.

The sun is shining on the 108 riders at the start of the 13th edition of the Arctic Race of Norway. “The most beautiful day of the summer,” says a local as the peloton leaves Evenes. While the route is relatively flat, three Category 2 climbs add some spice to the course. This gives the Norwegians Morten Wang Baksaas (Lucky Sport), Eirik Vang Aas (Draal-Repsol), Henrik Teslo Fjellheim (Lillehammer CK) and Ludvik Aspelund Holstad (Ringerike) hope as they go clear from kilometre zero alongside Belgian Victor Vercouillie (Flanders-Baloise). His compatriot and teammate Vincent Van Hemelen tries to bridge across, but his efforts are not enough. The first five attackers become the first breakaway of the week.

An a break of five riders 45 kilometers into the race: Victor Vercouillie, Eirik Vang Aas, Henrik Teslo Fjellheim, Ludvik Holstad and Morthen Wang Baksaas. At that point they had a 3-minute lead.

Fighting for the Northern Lights jersey
Aiming to contest the stage victory in Myre, the teams with sprinters – NSN for Ethan Vernon, Uno-X Mobility for Erlend Blikra and Henrik Pedersen – take control of the race and stabilise the gap at around three minutes, after allowing it to grow to 3'25". The difference remains around that mark for a long time before beginning to come down after around 100 kilometres of racing, between the Karingen climb (km 87.8 / Baksaas first over the top) and the Storvatnet one (km 139.8 / Aas first over the summit). One minute and 30 seconds still separate the breakaway from the peloton after this second categorised climb, with 42.1 kilometres remaining to the finish.

As the peloton closes in, Finnish rider Axel Källberg and his Swedish teammate Teodor De Luca (Lucky Sport) join the leaders. By taking the third and final climb at Storeidet (km 155.6), Baksaas secures the Northern Lights jersey, becoming the 10th Norwegian to wear it on home soil and continuing the work of compatriot Storm Ingebrigtsen (Uno-X Mobility), who won it last year. De Luca takes the intermediate sprint on the first passage across the finish line before the peloton brings the breakaway back with three kilometres to go.

Lonardi springs a surprise
Among the sprint specialists, favourite Vernon (5th) does not benefit from ideal positioning. This plays in favour of others, including Giovanni Lonardi (Polti VisitMalta), who proves the strongest in the final metres. He claims the fourth Italian victory in the history of the Arctic Race of Norway and the first for his team, which makes a flying debut in the Norwegian race. After two podium finishes this season, Lonardi finally raises his arms in 2026, securing his first win since Stage 2 of the 2025 Tour of Istanbul. He also becomes the third Italian to wear the Midnight Sun jersey.

Lonardi’s victory denies Frenchman Jason Tesson (TotalEnergies), Canadian Riley Pickrell (Modern Adventure), local rider Blikra and Vernon, who complete the top five, but they will have every opportunity to get their revenge tomorrow. Another sprint is expected in Andenes, where the Arctic Race of Norway will finish for the first time.

Complete results:

181.9 kilometers raced at an average speed of 44.477 km/hr

GC after stage 1:

• GC leader: Giovanni Lonardi (Team Polti-VisitMalta)
• Mountains classification leader: Morthen Wang Baksaas (Lucky Sport Cycling Team)
• Points classification leader: Giovanni Lonardi (Team Polti-VisitMalta)
• Best young rider: Teodor De Luca (Lucky Sport Cycling Team)
• Teams classification leader: NSN Cycling Team

Stage 1 map & profile:

Stage 1 map

Stage 1 profile

Start list with back numbers, Aug 12, 2026: