News

– 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.

Marianne Vos (Jumbo-Visma) is not to stop at the Tour of Scandinavia. On Thursdays third stage from Moss to Sarpsborg in Norway she took her third win in three days in three countries. It was her 245th win as a professional and her 11th in the race (former Ladies Tour of Norway).

Two riders formed a breakaway with more than three minutes lead at the most. British Josie Nelson (Coop-Hitec Products) and Elena Pirrone (Valcar) worked hard to stay away, but on the inrun to the final laps in Sarpsborg they were caught by Lourdes Oyarbide (Movistar).
The tree could not stay away and coming into the final three laps it was another British rider putting the heat on the race. Alice Barnes (Canyon SRAM) went away and stayed clear with more than 20 seconds lead until just before the final 6,7 km lap.

There were several attacks in the final, but it was Emilia Fahlin (FDJ) who opened the sprint with 500 meters to go. Everbody thought yesterdays runner-up was the sprinter, but the Swede was just leading out the Danish champion Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig. And the stage winner from the Tour de France Femmes did a good sprint in the slight uphill, but like shoot out of a canon Marianne Vos came through and won again.
Ludwig was clearly disappointed, but she is still one of the main contenders for the overall.

Vos got another 10 bonus seconds, but she doesn’t want to talk about her chances on Saturdays 10 km climb to the finish at Norefjell.
– First I’m looking at tomorrow, says the race leader. Then another 119 km like today is waiting in the undulating terrain between Askim and Mysen.

Canadian Alison Jackson (Liv Racing) kept the green jersey, while Amber Kraak (Jumbo-Visma) still is in a good lead for the climbers jersey. The white jersey to the best U23-rider changed to Belgian talent Shari Bossuyt (Canyon SRAM). The European track champion was third on the stage for the second time this week.

Marianne Vos (Jumbo-Visma) got the historical stage of the new Tour of Scandinavia from Copenhagen to Helsingør in Denmark.
The stages saw several attempts to break away, but in the end it was Vos who won a big bunch sprint again.

– I was a little bit afraid that I shouldn’t get a position for the sprint, said Vos who was not in the best position with 1 km to the finish.
– But I still had Linda Riedmann with me and she found the way on the right side of the road.

Trek-Segafredo sat it up for Amalie Dideriksen, but the former World champion launched the sprint but faded on the last meters on home asphalt. Young american Megan Jastrab (Team DSM) came closest to Vos with the European track champion Shari Bossuyt (Canyon/SRAM) claimed third.

Jumbo-Visma also got the climbers jersey with Amber Kraak after good help from Marianne Vos who also spend some power here.
Canadian sprinter Alison Jackson (Liv Racing) is sitting in the green points jersey when Jastrab is the best young rider.
Amalie Dideriksen still got a prize as the best Danish rider after the 146 kilometers in fairly flat roades on the northern part of the island Sjælland.

Tour of Scandinavia witch is a new version of the former Ladies Tour of Norway is held over 6 days with 6 stages in three countries. On Wednesday the ladies will cover 154 km from Orust to Strömstad on the Swedish west coast.

Here you will find the official results for stage 1.

The race is almost there, and here you will find interviews with some of the well-know riders and team support before it all starts.