Glava Tour of Norway starts on Wednesday, with a slightly stronger field than last year. It's the 2nd time the race is ridden as a 2.1 race. Last year, EBH won a popular home victory after failing to win any sprints, but taking the queen stage in a dominating manner. The amount of spectators was obviously incredible for a 2.1 race, as Norwegians are more than averagely interested in showing off their flag and cheering for their countrymen...Some names to note are defending champion EBH, Nordhaug, Theo Bos, Bauke Mollema, Sep Vanmarcke, Lars Boom, Alexander Kristoff and of course Amets Txurruka 
D).
The stages
Stage 1, Fredrikstad - Sarpsborg (190 km).
Some small hills in the final, but certainly a bunch sprint. My pick: Theo Bos.
Stage 2, Kongsberg - Skien (179 km)
Abit more hilly, but will still end up in a bunch sprint. My pick: Alex Kristoff.
Stage 3, Tønsberg - Drammen (163 km).
Completely flat stage. The most interesting part is that it's held on Norway's national day, 17th of May. That means a lot of spectators dressed in our national bunad with Norwegian flags everywhere. Conveniently, it's also EBH's birthday. However, he won't win. My prediction: Theo Bos (obviously).
Stage 4, Brumundal - Lillehammer (195 km)
This is where the race will be decided. Last year the peloton was completely shattered on this stage as Nordhaug destroyed the peloton for Edvald on the final climb, before EBH attacked on the descent and won easily. This year the two of them are riding against each other, which will provide more excitement for sure. My pick: EBH.
Stage 5, Gjøvik - Hønefoss (173 km).
This stage is quite hilly aswell. Last year this stage ended up in a surprisingly large bunch sprint, which has lead to the organizers making the stage a little harder this time. However, I still think there'll be a sprint, although a small one. Maybe 20 riders or so. My pick: Alexander Kristoff.
Favourites for the overall:
*****: Edvald Boasson Hagen
****: Lars Petter Nordhaug, Bauke Mollema
***: Kristoff, Txurruka, Ciolek.
**: Hinault, Rasch, Nicki Sørensen.
The race will be live on Eurosport. If I'm not mistaken it might ever be on ES 1, instead of the Giro (because we all know that ToN > Giro)
D). The stages
Stage 1, Fredrikstad - Sarpsborg (190 km).
Some small hills in the final, but certainly a bunch sprint. My pick: Theo Bos.
Stage 2, Kongsberg - Skien (179 km)
Abit more hilly, but will still end up in a bunch sprint. My pick: Alex Kristoff.
Stage 3, Tønsberg - Drammen (163 km).
Completely flat stage. The most interesting part is that it's held on Norway's national day, 17th of May. That means a lot of spectators dressed in our national bunad with Norwegian flags everywhere. Conveniently, it's also EBH's birthday. However, he won't win. My prediction: Theo Bos (obviously).
Stage 4, Brumundal - Lillehammer (195 km)
This is where the race will be decided. Last year the peloton was completely shattered on this stage as Nordhaug destroyed the peloton for Edvald on the final climb, before EBH attacked on the descent and won easily. This year the two of them are riding against each other, which will provide more excitement for sure. My pick: EBH.
Stage 5, Gjøvik - Hønefoss (173 km).
This stage is quite hilly aswell. Last year this stage ended up in a surprisingly large bunch sprint, which has lead to the organizers making the stage a little harder this time. However, I still think there'll be a sprint, although a small one. Maybe 20 riders or so. My pick: Alexander Kristoff.
Favourites for the overall:
*****: Edvald Boasson Hagen
****: Lars Petter Nordhaug, Bauke Mollema
***: Kristoff, Txurruka, Ciolek.
**: Hinault, Rasch, Nicki Sørensen.
The race will be live on Eurosport. If I'm not mistaken it might ever be on ES 1, instead of the Giro (because we all know that ToN > Giro
)
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