The 177 kilometer first stage of Tour des Fjords from Bergen to Norheimsund formed a spectacularly beautiful scenery for the stage along the Norwegian coastline. Unfortunately, the riders didn’t avoid the heavy rain that fell on and off before the hectic finale where a small bunch sprint concluded the stage. 

The peloton was in control of things and as the pace went up in the break, riders started to be dropped from the front and the pack dragged the remaining riders back before going under the ten kilometer banner. While Orica-GreenEdge and Katusha tenaciously fought to keep the peloton in one piece, riders were constantly attacking from the field and with five kilometers to go, a new front group consisting of 28 riders were flying towards the finish line.

CULT Energy Pro Cycling’s Rasmus Guldhammer was in the front group and finished 9th in a wild and wet sprint while home favorite Alexander Kristoff (Katusha) took the win and the leader’s jersey.

DS Michael Skelde says:

“Besides the cold showers along the way, it was a good start for us in Tour des Fjords. Rasmus is the appointed captain in the race, everyone’s supporting him and he’s brimming with confidence. Michael Carbel did a fine job setting Rasmus up for the finale where the Katusha were in a league of their own. Tomorrow, we’re facing 215 kilometers of hard racing but I expect Rasmus to be there in another fast finale and hopefully with another good or even better result."