News

Our former volunteer Tour of Scandinavia crew member Jone Stavland (25), is now a freelance Movico operator in Tour de France.
Jone came into Norwegian cycling as a one of many volunteers during the World Championships in Bergen in 2017. He immediately proved to be something special and ended up being a team leader and responsible for the finishing straight during the Worlds.

Jone originally comes from Haugesund on the west coast of Norway, and was working as a roadwork constructor in his local home town.
After 2017 he has been involved in Ladies Tour of Norway and Tour of Scandinavia as assistant Arena Manager the recent years, adding tremendous energy, and willpower to our organization.
He has also been working as a volunteer for Holmenkollen Ski festival the past years – organizing all branding in the famous Holmenkollen Ski arena.

As a volunteer working for Tour of Scandinavia you come close to teams, TV, and various vendors delivering equipment to this cycling circus. One of these vendors is Movico, which is a world leading vendor of sporting event equipment to all kinds of sporting events all over the world.

And last year, Jone had some talks with the local operators that was present in Norway, and this March he signed a contract as a freelance operator in Movico. This means that Jone will travel all over the world (mainly Europe) transporting, assembling, operating  and disassembling the Movico equipment ordered on behalf of the customer/ organizer of the event.

Right now, Jone is at his first Tour de France, and together with his paired Movico colleague he is responsible for VIP section 4 in the finishing area of every Tour de France stage.

We at Tour of Scandinavia are extremely proud of this young and forward leaning boy from Haugesund who was never afraid to chase his dreams.
We wish you the best of luck the next three weeks, Jone, and hope to see you in this year’s edition of Tour of Scandinavia in August 2023. But this time as a Movico employee.

Never stop chasing dreams!!!

Tour of Scandinavia reduced from 6 to 5 stages. Due to increased costs and lack of funding in Sweden, this year’s race program has been reduced from six to five stages. The race’s second stage in Sweden from Tanum Strand to Strømstad has been canceled. The remaining stages will proceed as planned.

– A significant increase in the cost of purchasing various goods and services, a weakened Norwegian krone, and the fact that we have not been successful in establishing sufficient sponsors in Sweden necessitate the unfortunate decision to eliminate the stage in Sweden this year, says Managing Director Roy Moberg.

– We have put a lot of work into creating a high-quality World Tour race, including an excellent stage in Sweden, but we have come to realize that the revenue base in Sweden is not sufficient. We cannot responsibly organize a World Tour race, with all its commitments, without having control over the finances. Therefore, it was necessary to reduce the stages from six to five this year, Moberg adds.

– We want to clarify that we have not ruled out Sweden for the future and promise to return stronger with a presence in Sweden when there is a solid economic foundation for it, confirms Moberg.

Specifically, the opening stage from Mysen to Halden will now take place on Wednesday, August 23, instead of Tuesday, August 22. All other stages will be held as originally planned.

– The change in the race program presents several logistical and technical challenges that we are currently working on, in collaboration with our partners, says Race Director Anders Eia Linnestad. – It was necessary to make this decision now to ensure an optimal preparation for the race program in August.

This year’s Tour of Scandinavia will follow the following program:

Wednesday, August 23 : Mysen – Halden
Thursday, August 24 : Vikersund – Norefjell
Friday, August 25 : Kongsberg – Larvik
Saturday, August 26 : Herning (individual time trial)
Sunday, August 27 : Middelfart – Haderslev

There will be numerous side events as part of this year’s race concept, and minor adjustments to the program may occur.

– Overall, the planning and preparations are progressing well. We are witnessing great enthusiasm and cooperation from all host municipalities involved, and we guarantee a world-class international cycling race with the participation of all World Tour teams. We can’t wait for an exciting week of racing in August, concludes Moberg.

We are pleased to invite to Launch party for Tour of Scandinavia 2023!

When: Thursday 20. April
Where: Scandic Brennemoen Hotel, Mysen
Time : 18:30

The program for Tour of Scandinavia will be presented, included all the host municipalities and our co-operation parters.
We can promise an exciting evening with focus on sustainability, equality and co-operation across several sports- and cultural arrangements through the summer.

Here is the program for the evening:

The arrangement is free and open for everybody.

Hope to see you there!

Tour of Scandinavia (formerly Ladies Tour of Norway) was scaled up to a six-day stage race before last year and expanded with stages in both Denmark and Sweden in addition to Norway. The “grand depart” of the 2022 edition was at Kongens Nytorv in Copenhagen with fantastic surroundings and ended with a folk festival in the “home town” Halden. The cross-border cooperation will continue in 2023, and we are very happy to be able to present this year’s race starting in Norway and ending in Denmark.

At the same time, the organizer continues with a number of side projects, including those related to the development of girls’ cycling through the Equal Opportunities project (Like muligheter) and several exciting projects related to sustainable development in collaboration with Viken County Council. The latter projects are also linked to last year’s Eco-lighthouse certification.

These are the stages of Tour of Scandinavia 2023. The route details will be presented later this spring:

Stage 1, Tuesday 22 August, Mysen – Halden: This year’s first stage of the Tour of Scandinavia is organized in familiar areas for those who have followed the Ladies Tour of Norway since the beginning. Mysen (Indre Østfold municipality) most recently hosted a finish in 2022, and is this year hosting the race’s “Grand depart”. Halden is the town where it all started 9 years ago, and has hosted the last stage in all editions of the race up until this year. This time we are turning around, and setting up an exciting final on the 1st stage where the riders will also climb up to Fredriksten fortress on the local circuit. The finish area is, as before, at Kongens brygge in the centre.

Stage 2, Wednesday 23 August, Tanumstrand – Strömstad: Tanumstrand is a fantastic location on the Swedish west coast, and is hosting the start for the first time. Strömstad is back with another finish after last year’s success. This year’s course will take the riders back to many of the beautiful coastal destinations from last year’s 2nd stage. This year’s stage will end with a fast local circuit in Strömstad and not a direct finish as in 2022.

Stage 3, Thursday 24 August, Vikersund – Norefjell: On this stage, Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig won solo, and made the base for her overall victory at last year’s Tour of Scandinavia. However, this year’s stage has been somewhat adjusted compared to last year. The start is still in Vikersund, and the stage takes us along the way through Modum, Sigdal and Krødsherad municipalities. The last part of this year’s mountain stage goes via Eggedal in Sigdal municipality. The top of the decisive climb up to Norefjell thus comes with a little more distance from the finish compared to last year. The last 5 km of the stage will be easier. The finish line is the same as before at Norefjell ski & spa.

Stage 4, Friday 25 August, Kongsberg – Larvik: This year’s fourth stage is a completely new stage with new host municipalities. The stage starts close to the waterfall in Kongsberg. The first part down the Lågen valley is relatively easy to ride before the riders have a climb over Vindfjell and Siljan towards Porsgrunn. The route passes on the outskirts of Skien and the center of Porsgrunn before it goes out towards the coast of Vestfold in Helgeroa and Stavern. The final in Larvik is relatively hard with a climb towards the finish in the last 1,4 km. There will be an early finish at stage 4 due to the transfer to Denmark after the stage.

Stage 5, Saturday 26 August, Herning – Herning (individual time trial): For the first time, an individual time trial will be held in the Tour of Scandinavia. The stage is organized on a 16.4 km long route with start and finish in the center of Herning. The course favors the strongest time trial riders, but the technical part in the center of Herning will give the riders some extra challenges.

Stage 6, Sunday 27 August, Middelfart – Kolding – Haderslev: The final stage of this year’s Tour of Scandinavia starts in idyllic Middelfart on Fyn. After a small local loop of the municipality, the riders will pass the old Lillebælt bridge before heading towards Kolding. The route passes the 750-year-old Kolding house before heading south again in the direction of Haderslev on the same roads as last year’s Tour de France. In Haderslev there will be 3 laps in a local final circuit of 7,5 km. The finish area is on top of an approx. 800 meter long climb.

– Tour of Scandinavia 2022 was a great success, and the start in Denmark gave the race a new dimension compared to only having stages in Norway. The cooperation across national borders in Scandinavia is central to this project, and we are very happy that this year we can present a concept with the final to stages in Denmark, says race director Anders Eia Linnestad. – The combination of stages in Norway, Sweden and Denmark this year requires a major logistics operation during the transfer between Larvik in Norway and Herning in Denmark. As organizers, we are nevertheless convinced that this year’s combination of stages will be very well received, concludes Eia Linnestad.

This year’s Tour of Scandinavia has a completely different profile compared to the 2022 edition. Already on the first stage, the riders will be put to the test in the hard final in Halden, and in general there is a greater variation on the stages compared to last year. For the first time, a time trial will also be organized this year, and there will be a battle for the yellow jersey the whole way to the last pedal step in Haderslev.

General director and initiator of the Tour of Scandinavia, Roy Moberg, also shares his enthusiasm for this year’s edition, and the development the event has had since its inception in 2014: – There has been an adventurous development of this race since its inception in 2014. With six stages in three Nordic countries, we are a unique concept that builds bridges between the countries’ culture, sports, tourism and business activities. Through the collaboration with Denmark and Sweden, we feel that we have added something new and fresh to cycling. The feedback from last year’s event concept was very good and this year we are taking it one step further. The stages are exciting and varied and we have a packed program throughout the event week which we are really looking forward to showing off in August, concludes Moberg.

The organizer reserves the right to make some adjustments to the stages in Norway and Sweden pending political consideration.

Background Tour of Scandinavia:
Tour of Scandinavia is the only World Tour race in Scandinavia regardless of gender. Every year, the race gathers the best teams and profiles in the world on the women’s side in Norway, Sweden and Denmark. This year the race will be organized 22 – 27 August. Together with the Tour de France Femmes and the Giro Rosa, the Scandinavian race is the most prestigious stage race in the cycling world for women. Tour of Scandinavia was Eco lighthouse certified in 2022 and has a number of side projects with a focus on sustainability. In 2022, the race gathered over 4.6 million TV viewers globally on Eurosport’s live broadcasts and all over 16 million viewers on all platforms.

For further info about Tour of Scandinavia, contact:
Roy Moberg, general director                       +47-906 49 339
Anders Eia Linnestad, race director             +47-900 68 423

Danmark:
Jesper Tikiøb, event manager DCU             +45-4037 9620
Ulrich Gorm, communication DCU             +45-2940 0202

– Our expansion to a Scandinavian concept that includes both Denmark and Sweden in addition to Norway has given us a better anchoring internationally. This is shown by the TV figures after this year’s event, says general manager Roy Moberg.

Fresh rating figures from Discovery+ show that 4.6 million have followed our TV broadcasts on Eurosport1.
If we add all other platforms that have broadcast the race either via TV or online, including delay/repeat, the total number of viewers according to our distribution partners is estimated to be over 16 million viewers.

– These are fantastic figures, it is only the Tour de France Femmes of the women’s stage races that is bigger in the world in terms of the number of viewers, says Moberg

We have noticed a significant progress in terms of global interest when we launched “six stages in three countries” this year. We have received a lot of positive feedback on the good quality of our TV broadcasts, and it is clear that people who have seen TdF Femmes now also follow our race and get excited.

– Through our collaboration with NEP Norway, we have always had very good quality in our TV productions. Our new production concept developed together with NEP includes both the use of 4G and management of production from NEP’s head office in Oslo instead of production buses at the finish line. This form of production is efficient with regard to both environmental impact and economy, and is a future-oriented solution with good quality that will set the standard for cycling production in the future, concludes Moberg.

Here you will find a short recap of this year’s TV production:

Marianne Vos (Jumbo-Visma) took her 4th stage of the 6 stage race Tour of Scandinavia when she won the final between Lillestrøm and Halden in Norway.
But it was Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig (FDJ) who went away with the yellow jersey after Sundays last 154,3 km – the longest stage of the race.

A break with five riders got about three and a half minute halfway. Katia Ragusa (Liv Racing), Sylvie Swinkels (Coop-Hitec Products), April Tacey (Le Col-Wahoo), Femke Markus (Parkhotel Valkenburg) and Maud Rijnbeek (AG Insurance–NXTG) held the lead to the inrun to the final city Halden.

But before the three last laps over 5,4 km each they were caught and it was Jeanne Korevaar (Liv Racing) who started the fireworks in the final. She held the lead for about two laps and was 10-12 seconds ahead of the bunch.

Liane Lippert (DSM) tried to attack Ludwig for the yellow jersey. The German champion was sitting 17 seconds behind, but Ludwig responded to every attack.

Instead it was Anouska Koster (Jumbo-Visma) who counterattacked and was close to repeat her win in Halden in 2016. She had the lead till the final 100 meters, but the peloton came up quickly and her teammate Marianne Vos was in a class of her own again.
Vos won ahead of Shar Bossuyt (Canyon SRAM) and Barbara Guarischi (Movistar), while Ludwig, Lippert and Alex Manly (BikeExchange-Jayco) took the podium places on GC.

Alison Jackson (Liv Racing) and Amber Kraak (Jumbo-Visma) took the green jersey respectively the climbers jersey. Neve Bradbury (Canyon SRAM) won the white jersey for best U23-rider while Mari Hole Mohr (Coop-Hitec Products) was the best Norwegian on the stage.

After the finish of stage 5 at Norefjell, we had invited good cooperation partners and sponsors to a “Sustainability & Equality-seminar at Norefjell Ski & Spa.
As we were informed that we had fulfilled the requirements for the Eco-lighthouse certification earlier this summer, it was now time for the formal presentation of the certification together with presentation from some of our cooperation partners for sustainability & equality.

First presentation on the agenda was from Visit Norefjell by/Camilla Wold Knudsen, and she informed about how the region of Norefjell continuously work to reach their vision of among other be sustainable destination in a sustainable society.

Green Cycling Norway is an ideal organization which works for promoting activity, and cycling in particular to create healthy values as sustainability and enjoy the happines of sport into the society. We have cooperated with them for many years already, and they are organizing both summer cycling schools and children’s race during this year’s edition of Tour of Scandinavia. And Jonas Orset and Thomas Rem gave us a deeper insight in their projects and visions.

We have also this week been visited by UC’s representative for environment and sustainability Benjamin Barret, and he informed about how UCI works to promote cycling as a very important tool to among other reduce the CO2-emissions and improve people’s health by being more active and using cycle as a means of transport.
And as he said so true: – Tennis can not save the world, but cycling can!
He was also very impressed of our Eco-lighthouse certification and the work to obtain this, and when he comes back to the UCI’s head quarter, he will write an article about this.

Like Muligheter is a value project which shall work for promoting equality and women’s rights in sports.
Unfortunately there are still many differences in men’s and women’s possibilities to be good in sports, and Like Muligheter is working for reducing these differences.
To help them with this work, they have several female ambassadors who shall use their channels and knowledge to promote equality ad work for women’s rights.
Already ambassadors are Caroline Graham Hansen – football, Grace Bullen – wrestling, Amalie Luel – Athletics an Maren Lundby – ski jumping, and Marianne Aasland could today inform that they have also hired Emilie Moberg who knows the cycling community very well.

And last but now least – there was time for the formal handover of the Eco-lighthouse certification.
A bit earlier in the program, our Race Director Anders Eia Linnestad and Hilde Rønning from Viken county municipality informed about the process and which requirements that must be fulfilled to obtain the certification. Hilde has been a very good support and given us a lot of help in the process, so thank you very much, Hilde!
Line Begby – sustainability coordinator in Viken county municipality handed over the sign confirming that we are Eco-lighthouse certified to Anders Eia Linnestad and Roy Moberg.

So now it’s up to us to continue our work being av sustainable and green sports event!

When Marianne Vos (Jumbo-Visma) couldn’t hold the tempo up the final climb and Demi Vollering (SD Worx) crashed out yesterday it was all set for Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig (FDJ) on the queen stage of Tour of Scandinavia.
But the Danish champion got a tough fight with the German champion Liane Lippert (Team DSM) for the victory and the yellow jersey.

With a 10 km climb averaging about .6,5 km to the finish this was set to be the queen stage. It was also the penultimate day of the 6 days Tour of Scandinavia and Uttrup Ludwig is now in a perfect position for taking home the GC.
– This is what we came for, she says and shows her new yellow jersey.

The peloton was compact hitting the final climb despite a good try from Sophie Wright (UAE). The young Brittsh rider had two and a half minute on the group behind, but it was eaten up before it started to go up.

FDJ was setting the tempo. First with Emilia Fahlin and then Stine Borgli. Halfway up the climb the yellow jersey got problems. Marianne Vos got to nearly a full stop and even though she tried she never came back to the leaders.

12 riders were left in the front group with 4 km to go. The first real attack came from Neve Bradbury, but it was to optimistic from the young Australien in Canyon SRAM. Instead Lippert made a counterattack and only Uttrup Ludwig had the speed to follow. Anouska Koster (Jumbo-Visma) tried, but was just to late to get contact.

The two-rider-sprint was lead out by Ludwig and Lippert was not able to challenge the Dane who is now sitting with 17 seconds advantage in front of Sundays final stage between Lillestrøm and Halden. It’s the race longest stage, 154 km compared to Saturdays’ 127 km.

Third on the stage was Julie Van De Velde (Pantur-Pura) who also moved up to third overall.

Allison Jackson (Liv Racing) and Amber Kraak (Jumbo-Visma) looks to secure the points jersey respectively the climbers jersery. But Neve Bradbury took over the white jersey as best U23-rider from Shari Bossuyt (Canyon SRAM).

Katrine Aalerud (Movistar) was the best Norwegian rider on the stage.

Alexandra Manly (BikeExchange-Jayco) was the first to beat Marianne Vos (Jumbo-Visma) in the first edition of Tour of Scandinavia.
The 26 year old Australian won a sprint from a 5 rider strong group who just managed to hold off the chasing peloton. Marianne Vos is still the race leader.

The 4th stage was 119 km in undulating terrain between the twincities Askim and Mysen, about 65 km south east of Oslo.

Despite attacks nearly all the way and warm conditions it was a compact group coming into the final 20 kilometers. But an attack from Alice Barnes (Canyon/SRAM) just like the day before shook up thing.
Barnes was joined by Manly and they were pending 10-20 seconds ahead of the peloton.

– I thought we were going to be caught, but then three other riders came up and we held the gap till the final, says Manly who earlier this year won the Thüringen Ladies Tour in Germany after 4 stagewins.

In the uphill finish it was the two Australians Manly and Chloe Hsoking (Trek-Segafredo) who was fighting for the victory. Manly managed to win by a few centimeters with italien Laura Tomasi (UAE Team ADQ) in third.

The peloton came up quickly and Marinna Vos in 6th place got the same time as the stage winner. But she is still in a solid lead in front of Saturdays mountain stage.
Vos will not say how big chance she has to keep the lead up the 10 km long climb to the finish at Norefjell on Saturday. Her main rivals will probably be Tour de France Femmes runner-up Demi Vollering (SD Worx) and Danish champion and TdFF stagewinner Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig (FDJ).

Alison Jackson (Liv Racing) kept the green jersey ahead of Vos while Amber Kraak (Jumbo-Visma) is in a good lead in the mountains competition. Shari Bossuyt (Canyon/SRAM) kept the white jersey as the best U23-rider.