Edvald Boasson Hagen (Sky) put last year's surprise defeat behind him when he took his 6th Norwegian time trial today. In a clash of the Norwegian titans, he held off Thor Hushovd (BMC) while the defending champion Reidar Borgersen (Joker-Merida) finished 3rd.

It came as a huge surprise when Edvald Boasson Hagen was surprisingly defeated at last year's Norwegian time trial championships, the Sky rider having won no less than 5 times in a row. Just one week prior to the start of the Tour de France, continental rider Reidar Borgersen beat the WorldTour star by 11 seconds in a very close race in Rong.

Today Boasson Hagen reclaimed his title on a 30km course in Grimstad and proved that he is ready to support Chris Froome at the Tour de France. He recently finished 6th in the Dauphiné time trial after having won a sprint stage one day earlier and today's performance was just another confirmation of his good condition.

Another world star to show encouraging signs was Thor Hushovd. The former world champion has not yet been selected for the Tour de France and is not guaranteed a spot in the strong line-up. Today's 2nd place, just 27 seconds behind Boasson Hagen, goes some way to convince team management that he deserves to return to the world's biggest bike race for the first time since his hugely successful participation in 2011.

Defending champion Borgersen was unable to make it two in a row but he was the best of the continental riders in 3rd. Borgersen will get another chance in Sunday's road race where he will line up as one of several continental riders who will try to deny WorldTour riders Boasson Hagen Hushovd, Gabriel Rasch, Alexander Kristoff and Lars-Petter Nordhaug an expected win.

Result:

1. Edvald Boasson Hagen 36.04

2. Thor Hushovd +0.27

3. Reidar Borgersen +0.42

4. Truls Engen Korsaeth +1.03

5. Kjetil Johansen Amundrud +1.18