The first adventure in the Norwegian mountains took its toll on the peloton during today’s 185 kilometer long third stage of Tour of Norway from Skien to Rjukan where an exciting battle between the Scandinavians waited for the viewers. Eventually, Jesper Hansen (Tinkoff-Saxo) took both stage and overall lead while CULT Energy Pro Cycling's Gustav Larsson flashed the colors in the chase group.

An early breakaway lasted to the bottom of the final and more than ten kilometer long climb within the final 30 kilometers of the stage. Hitting the ascent, riders instantly attempted to break clear and it didn’t take long before the leading rider Alexander Kristoff (Katusha) was dropped and the leader’s jersey was now up for grabs.

In the front and halfway up the climb, David Lopez (Sky) and Tinkoff-Saxo Dane Jesper Hansen formed the front duo while being chased by a small group including CULT Energy Pro Cycling Swede Gustav Larsson. A few kilometers from the summit, Hansen pushed the pace hard enough to leave Lopez behind. On the wet descent, Hansen increased the gap while Larsson was chasing with Edvald Boasson Hagen (MTN-Qhubeka) but they weren’t able to catch the young Dane who took his first professional win after a long solo ride.

In the hard chase, Boasson Hagen eventually dropped CULT Energy’s Gustav Larsson who was swept up by the third chase group but the big Swede finished sixth on the stage and is now 3rd overall.

DS Michael Skelde says:

"I'm deeply impressed by the way, Jesper Hansen takes the win today. It must have been a nail-bitingly thrilling finale to watch. Gustav gave what he had on the long climb, excelled on the descent but paid the price a few kilometers from the finish line where he had to let go of Hagen's wheel. He finished 6th, which is a good result and I'm content with our overall standing at this moment. Having said that, we have another shot tomorrow. The stage is concluded with a short, steep ramp and this kind of finale should be a treat for both Rasmus [Guldhammer] and Fabian [Wegmann]."