Edvald Boasson Hagen (Dimension Data) confirmed his status as the leading Norwegian time triallist by riding to a second consecutive win at the 2016 Championships. In a hugely exciting duel, the defending champion finished strongly to beat Vegard Stake Laengen (IAM) by 20 seconds. Andreas Vangstad (Sparebanken Sør) was 43 seconds behind in third.

Since he won his first national title in 2007, Edvald Boasson Hagen has been the dominant Norwegian time triallist. In fact, he has only missed out on victory twice since his maiden win: in 2012 when he was second behind Reidar Borgersen and in 2014 when he was out with an injury.

Lining up as the defending champion, Boasson Hagen was the red-hot favourite for the 2016 edition of the race and he didn't disappoint. Having recently won a stage at the Criterium du Dauphiné, he confirmed his good form by covering the hard 47km course in Saltstraumen in the best time of 1.02.37.

However, it was hard-fought win for Boasson Hagen. Vegard Stake Laengen who finished third in the long Giro d'Italia time trial, turned out to be a tough rival for the defending champion. Boasson Hagen had been 34 seconds faster at the first time check but at the second check he was suddenly seven seconds down.

Things only got more exciting at the third check where the pair were tied on time but ultimately Boasson Hagen had most left. The star rider put 20 seconds into his rival in the final part of the race and so secured an 8th title. Andreas Vangstad was 43 seconds behind in third and so finished on the podium for the third year in a row.

Boasson Hagen will now try to make the double like he did in 2015 when he lines up for Sunday's road race.