Tour of Norway was launched with a 182 kilometer long relatively bumpy stage between Årnes to Sarpsborg where a tenacious breakaway dominated the course. However, a bunch sprint was in the cards and proved inevitable. CULT Energy Pro Cycling's Fabian Wegmann finished 7th.

The escapees managed to stay away long enough to sweep up all bonus points along the way by breaking clear of the pack early on. Having no hard-core sprinters in the line-up, CULT Energy Pro Cycling had no interest in participating in the chase while Katusha eventually had a rough time bringing the remaining escapees back to the field. With 7 kilometers to go, the escapees still had a gap of one and a half minutes.

Ultimately, they were only 400 meters from the finish line when they were caught and in the sprint for the line, CULT Energy Pro Cycling’s Fabian Wegmann demonstrated fine form by finishing 7th. Home turf favorite Alexander Kristoff (Katusha) took the stage win and overall lead.

DS Michael Skelde says:

"It was a good start for us. I see that everyone was paying attention in the hectic finale where the chasing teams were having difficulties reeling in the last standing escapees. The chaotic finish caused a crash with two or three kilometers to go but we managed to go around and Fabian was in a great position on the narrow road leading to the finish line. Tomorrow's stage could be even more thrilling. Teams of 6 riders are having a hard time controlling the pack and we should benefit from this," says Skelde.