In an all-Norwegian sprint finish Alexander Kristoff got the better of Edvald Boasson Hagen as the Glava Tour of Norway kicked off today.

As expected the opening stage of the Norwegian race ended in a bunch sprint and Alexander Kristoff (Katusha) drew first blood as he outsprinted fellow Norwegian Edvald Boasson Hagen (Sky) while Matteo Pelucchi (IAM) completed the podium.

Prior to the mass sprint a six-man breakaway group tried their luck on the flat 190km route from Fredrikstad to Sarpsborg without ever looking likely to maintain their lead, though.

Amets Txurruka (Caja Rural), Rony Martias (Sojasun), Bob Schoonbroodt (Cycling Team De Rijke-Shanks), Alexander Gingsjö (Team People4you), Filip Eidsheim (Øster Hus-Ridley) and Vegard Robinson Brugge (Joker Merida) went in search of fortune and fame on the stage but eventually they were powerless to prevent a Sky and Katusha-led peloton from bridging the gap.

Eidsheim and Txurruka were the last riders from the breakaway group to resign to their fate as Sky and Blanco re-established law and order with 20km to go.

Edvald Boasson Hagen was the first sprinter to make his move in the dash for the line but his compatriot Alexander Kristoff was swift and unforgiving in his reply as he blasted past the Sky rider to claim the stage ahead of Hagen and Matteo Pelucchi.

The Norwegian race continues tomorrow with a 179km stage from Kongsberg to Skien.

Result; stage 1:
1 Alexander Kristoff - Katusha
2 Edvald Boasson Hagen - Sky Procycling
3 Matteo Pelucchi - IAM Cycling
4 Theo Bos - Blanco Pro Cycling Team
5 Kristian Sbaragli - MTN-Qhubeka