With the stage being too hard for sprinter Marcel Kittel, Albert Timmer got a chance to ride for himself on the final day of the Arctic Race of Norway. The Dutchman launched a strong attack in the finale but was unable to shake off eventual winner Alexander Kristoff.

Albert Timmer was once again on the attack at the Arctic Tour of Norway on today’s fourth and final stage, testing his legs late in the day to try and get away from the select front group that had formed in the latter stages but his efforts didn’t come off.

Timmer and Thierry Hupond were left in the final front group of around 20 riders on the tough finishing circuit of the final stage before Timmer jumped on the final climb. He was eventually brought back before a late attack by Alexander Kristoff (Katusha) was enough to take the stage.

A nine rider break formed early in the stage and Team Giant-Shimano were not present, saving their efforts for the tough final stages of the race. This group splintered long before the finish and the race all came back together with half the stage still remaining. Breaks came and went as the front group was gradually whittled down.

Marcel Kittel was in domestique duty today, realising the stage was too tough for him today and helping Hupond and Timmer to stay in position for the climbs on the difficult finishing laps.

A select group of around 20 riders headed into the last ten kilometres with Hupond and Timmer before Timmer went all out on the final climb. He got a gap but didn’t have the legs to break the elastic, eventually fading to be taken back by the chase group and finishing just outside the top ten.

Coach Aike Visbeek said after the stage: “The stage ended with a tough final lap here containing a small climb. Albert and Thierry were left in the front group from which Albert attacked on the last climb but probably too early. It was a strong effort but he didn’t last. It was important to have a go again today though and we had nothing to lose.”