Today Cult Energy Pro Cycling took on the first of four stages in the Arctic Race of Norway. Stage one was a 213 kilometer quite flat course in and around the town of Harstad. In the local circuit in the finale, the peloton was challenged with narrow roads and a short climb where the stage was decided.

Seven riders launched the long-lasting breakaway while the Cult Energy riders spent most of the day in the pack. As the leading locomotive, Katusha, IAM and Europcar controlled the pace most of the day but as the front group exploded after the final intermediate sprint, several teams joined in on the fun at the front of the pack.

Entering the final lap of 8 kilometers, Cult Energy Pro Cycling worked their way up on the side of the field while a solo escapee fought for his existence in the spotlight a few seconds ahead of the galloping pack. A six rider counter-attack threatened to sail away but no one was allowed to go.

Going under the red kite, the pack was complete and in the 700 meter long slightly uphill finish, Cult Energy Pro Cycling's Rasmus Guldhammer nailed another top result finishing 6th in the sprint where Alexander Kristoff (Katusha) took the win ahead of compatriot Edvard Boasson-Hagen (MTN-Qhubeka).

Sports director Michael Skelde says:

"It's good to see Rasmus bringing both form and motivation from Tour of Denmark to Norway. He was really focusing on the Tour on home soil and sometimes it can be difficult to maintain such a focus and turn it in a new direction but it looks as though he's up for it. The entire team worked well together and I'm looking forward to seeing what they can do in the coming days. I expect another bunch gallop tomorrow but Saturday and Sunday's stages are bound to create a bit of chaos and with 6 riders in each team, it may be difficult to organize."