MTN-Qhubeka will line up a young team for the second edition of the Arctic Race of Norway. Martin Reimer and Andreas Stauss will be the experienced core and they are surrounded by young African riders.

The Arctic Race of Norway gets underway tomorrow, starting in the town of Hammerfest. The 4 stage Norwegian tour is the Northern most professional cycle race in all of Europe and it should prove to be quite the spectacle, as racing in Norway always seems to be with it’s breathtaking scenery.

The Arctic Race of Norway is a UCI 2.1 category event that consists of 4 road stages. The parcours is an interesting one where it would be tough to pick an outright GC favourite. You would think Stages 1 and 3 would suit a punchy climber and stages 2 and 4 are more for the sprinters. The unpredictable weather though will be a big factor and the smaller 6 rider teams will also make the racing harder to control.

Team MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsung have a young team ready to race positively and aggressively over the coming 4 days. Andreas Stauff will be the experienced head among the team and could very well be a factor on the sprint stages. Martin Reimer, Martin Wesemann, Songezo Jim, Nic Dougall and Johann van Zyl will make up the rest of the team and they all will be looking to take their opportunities.

"I’m excited to be here in Norway," Van Zyl said. "I have never been in this part of Norway before, it is super cold at the moment and there is also this rainy wind that should make for some extreme racing.

"I’m feeling good. The month at home did my form great and in Denmark I felt awesome. I hope my shape continues in this tour and I would like to see what I can do.

"It might sound strange but I would like to try and hang on with the front guys as long as possible to see if I can do a good GC. Tomorrow already has a hard finish with some hills at the end, I don’t think the GC will be won there but that’s where you could be out of it."

Arctic Tour of Norway  (Norway)
Andreas Stauff (GER)
Johann van Zyl (RSA)
Martin Reimer (GER)
Martin Wesemann (RSA)
Songezo Jim (RSA)
Nicolas Dougall (RSA)