The Arctic Race of Norway delivers punchy climbing and tactical racing under the midnight sun, where the GC is rarely settled until the final day.
The Arctic Race of Norway is a four-day ProSeries stage race held each August in the far north of the country. First run in 2013, the race typically features hilly terrain, tight GC battles, and occasional crossings into Finland or Sweden.
First run in 2013, the race launched with Thor Hushovd as its public face and quickly became a distinctive fixture of the northern summer.
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This race stands out because the setting and the racing both feel different from the rest of the summer calendar. The roads in northern Norway create punchy, tactical stages where GC gaps are often measured in seconds, not minutes, and the combination of long daylight, exposed terrain, and compact route design keeps the race lively. It has become an established late-summer proving ground for puncheurs, climbers, and aggressive stage hunters rather than a race for pure specialists.
The race is usually won by shaping it before the final acceleration, not by waiting for one decisive climb to do the work alone. Stages typically mix flat valley roads with short, steep climbs that top out close to the finish, rewarding riders who can attack repeatedly rather than those who rely on sustained power. Sprint stages occasionally appear, sometimes on unusual surfaces like airport runways. The GC is often decided on punchy circuit finales where positioning and timing matter as much as raw climbing strength. Expect the winner to be someone who can handle multiple efforts across four days without cracking on the final climbs.
Four-day stage race in northern Norway, above the Arctic Circle. One of the most northerly professional road races in the world.
Fjord-side roads, coastal wind, and short punchy climbs. The race tests positioning and resilience more than pure climbing.
A punchy all-rounder who can handle steep coastal climbs and survive crosswinds off the Norwegian Sea.
Most recent winner: Corbin Strong
Andreas Leknessund gave Norway a home victory in the far north, climbing to the overall win on familiar terrain.
The first Arctic Race brought professional cycling above the Arctic Circle for the first time, drawing international attention to northern Norway.
Won the inaugural edition in 2013, lending star power to a new race in an unusual location.
Norwegian home winner in 2022 who used local climbing knowledge to take the GC.
Fjords, coastal roads, and the midnight sun define the setting.
The race follows Norway coastal roads with views of fjords and the Norwegian Sea.
Racing takes place during the Arctic summer when daylight lasts nearly 24 hours.
