Four days of racing in the far north
Arctic Race of Norway
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.
Next edition Aug 12–15, 2027
- Location
- 🇳🇴 Norway
- When
- Mid August
- Course
- Stage Race
- Most recent winner
- 🇺🇾 Guillermo Thomas Silva Coussan (2026)
- Category
- Men’s 2.Pro
About Arctic Race of Norway
The Arctic Race of Norway is a four-day ProSeries cycling 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.
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.
Arctic Race of Norway winners
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2026 | 🇺🇾Guillermo Thomas Silva Coussan |
| 2025 | 🇳🇿Corbin Strong |
| 2024 | 🇩🇰Magnus Cort |
| 2023 | 🇬🇧Stephen Williams |
| 2022 | 🇳🇴Andreas Leknessund |
| 2021 | 🇧🇪Ben Hermans |
| 2019 | Aleksey Lutsenko |
2027 edition
Aug 12–15, 2027.
Arctic Race of Norway route
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.
What shapes the race
Race type
Four-day stage race in northern Norway, above the Arctic Circle. One of the most northerly professional road races in the world.
Terrain identity
Fjord-side roads, coastal wind, and short punchy climbs. The race tests positioning and resilience more than pure climbing.
Typical winner
A punchy all-rounder who can handle steep coastal climbs and survive crosswinds off the Norwegian Sea.
Signature landmarks
Fjords, coastal roads, and the midnight sun define the setting.
- Terrain
Fjord-side roads
The race follows Norway coastal roads with views of fjords and the Norwegian Sea.
- Setting
Midnight sun
Racing takes place during the Arctic summer when daylight lasts nearly 24 hours.
History
Memorable editions
- 2022
Leknessund wins on home roads
Andreas Leknessund gave Norway a home victory in the far north, climbing to the overall win on familiar terrain.
- 2013
Inaugural edition
The first Arctic Race brought professional cycling above the Arctic Circle for the first time, drawing international attention to northern Norway.
Iconic victories
Alexander Kristoff
Won the inaugural edition in 2013, lending star power to a new race in an unusual location.
Andreas Leknessund
Norwegian home winner in 2022 who used local climbing knowledge to take the GC.
Eras and records
Founded in 2013 to showcase northern Norway to the cycling world.
First edition
The race was first held in 2013, making it one of the newest races on the European calendar.
Location
The northernmost professional road race in the world, held above the Arctic Circle.