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Tour des Fjords

Tour des Fjords 2014

This year’s edition of the Tour des Fjords starts in beautiful Bergen and continue along the west coast fjords, mountains before finishing in Stavanger. Five days of what the best Norwegian nature has to offer. Spectacular stages in stunning surroundings.

2013 video highlights



Team Katusha
PL/DS Schmidt, Torsten
1 Kristoff, Alexander
2 Haller, Marco
3 Kozontchuk, Dmitry
4 Kuznetsov, Viacheslav
5 Selig, R�diger
6 Smukulis, Gatis
R Rybakov, Alexander
R Kuchynski, Aliaksandr

Cannondale
PL/DS Pauchard, Gilles
11 Boivin, Guillaume
12 De Marchi, Alessandro
13 Formolo, Davide
14 Krizek, Matthias
15 Marcato, Marco
16 Marino, Jean Marc
R Bettiol, Alberto
R Mohoric, Matej

Tinkoff Saxo
PL/DS Hoffman, Tristan
21 Andersen, Michael Valgren
22 Kroon, Karsten
23 Boaro, Manuele
24 Hansen, Jesper
25 Pires, Bruno
26 Trusov, Nikolay
R Kump, Marko
R McCarthy, Jay

Topsport Vlaanderen-Baloise
PL/DS De Clercq, Hans
31 Van Asbroeck , Tom
32 Declercq, Tim
33 Helven, Sander
34 Jacobs, Pieter
35 Sprengers, Thomas
36 Waeytens, Zico
R Lietaer, Eliot
R Van Hecke, Preben

MTN Qhubeka p.b. Samsung
PL/DS Lacambra, Manel
41 Grmay, Tsgabu
42 Janse van Rensburg, Jacques
43 Sbaragli, Kristian
44 van Niekerk, Dennis
45 Van Zyl, Johann
46 Wesemann, Martin
R Debesay Abrha, Ferekalsi

UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team
PL/DS Damiani, Roberto
R F�rster, Robert
52 Maaskant, Martijn
53 De Maar, Marc
54 Alzate Escobar, Carlos Eduardo
55 Bazzana, Alessandro
56 Frattini, Davide
57 Ilesic, Aldo Ino
R Day, Benjamin

Wanty - Groupe Gobert
PL/DS De Neef, Steven
61 Kreder, Wesley
62 Kreder, Michel
63 Baugnies, Jerome
64 De Greef, Francis
65 Habeaux, Gregory
66 Seeldraeyers, Kevin
R Backaert, Frederik
R Van Melsen, Kevin

Caja Rural - Seguros RGA
PL/DS Goikoetxea, Eugenio
71 Piedra Perez, Antonio
72 Txurruka, Amets
73 Aramendia Lorente, Javier Francisco
74 Domagalski, Karol
75 Lasca, Francesco
76 Madrazo Ruiz, Angel
R Fernandez, Ruben
R Ferrari, Fabricio
R Molina, Antonio

Activejet Team
PL/DS Kosmala, Piotr
81 Bodnar, Lukasz
82 Brylowski, Pawel
83 Ezquerra, Jesus
84 Franczak, Pawel
85 Piaskowy, Emanuel
86 Podlaski, Michal
R Gonzalez Salas, Mario
R Mickiewicz, Thomasz
R Muntaner Juaneda, David
R Owsian, Arakdiusz

Rabobank Development Team
PL/DS Van Dongen, Arthur
91 Gerts, Floris
92 Havik, Piotr
93 Hofstede, Lennard
94 Korevaar, Merijn
95 Lindeman, Bert-Jan
96 Tusveld, Martijn
R Roosen, Timo
R van Empel, Etienne

Team Oster Hus - Ridley
PL/DS Aareskjold, Arne
101 Dyrnes, Kristian
102 Bystrom, Sven Erik
103 Blikra, Havaard
104 Galta, Frederik
105 Jacobsen, Tormod Hausken
R Jensen, August
107 Landa, Oscar
R Hagen, Krister

Team Sparebanken S�r
PL/DS -
111 Enger, Sondre Holst
112 Erland, Andreas
113 Hoem, Bjorn Tore
114 Jansen, Amund Grondahl
115 Lunke, Sindre Skjostad
116 Roinas, Fridtjof
R Aasvold, Kristian
R Hodnebrog, Jorgen Rydland
R Kaggestad, Christian
R Morland, Morten

Team Joker
PL/DS Van Oudenhove, Gino
121 Borgersen, Reidar Bohin
122 Bugge, Vegard Robinson
123 Lindau, Philip
124 Ringheim, Jo Kogstad
125 Skjerping, Kristoffer
126 Svendsen, Oskar Nikolai Birger
R Odd Christian, Eiking
R Olsen, Martin
R Wilson, Edvin

Team FixIT.no
PL/DS Jacobsen, Frode Jarle
131 Austevoll, Ole Andre
132 Gjolberg, Adrian
133 Hermansen, Sindre Eid
134 Sortveit, Sondre
135 Eidsheim, Fillip
136 Remme, Stian
R Hafsas, Marius
R Jensen, Jan William
R Stokkenes, Torstein

Team Ringeriks-Kraft
PL/DS Holm, Lars
141 Haugen, Henrik Steen
142 Karlsson, Jan Marcus Faglund
R Berger, Hakon Frengstad
R Brahushi, Thomas Nesset
R Theodorsen, Petter
146 Olsson, Michael
147 Korner, Max Emil
148 Wilmann, Frederik
149 Wormsen, Kristoffer Sommer

CULT Energy Vital Water
PL/DS Jochumsen, Rene
151 Nielsen, Magnus Cort
152 Vinther, Troels Ronning
153 Bochman, Lasse
154 Mortensen, Martin
155 Reihs, Michael
156 Jorgensen, Christian Moberg
R Christensen, Mads
R Sterobo, Rasmus

Madison Genesis
PL/DS Hammond, Roger
161 Davies, Scott
162 Hawkins, Peter
163 Holmes, Matthew
164 Holohan, Liam
165 Jelfs, Dominic
166 Stewart, Thomas
R Scully, Thomas
R Snook, Chris
R Tennant, Andrew

Team Trefor-Blue Water
PL/DS Johansen, Allan
171 Guldhammer, Rasmus
172 Mygind, Rasmus
173 Clausen, Patrick
174 Quaade, Rasmus Christian
175 Riis, Thomas Nybo
176 Sehested Pedersen, Mark
R Andersen, S�ren Kragh
R Vorre Louring, Aske

Firefighters Upsala CK
PL/DS Vestby, Martin
181 Gustavsson, Niklas
182 Hester, Marc
183 Hoberg, Morten
184 Johansson, Fredrik
185 Moncorge, Pierre
186 Svensson, Johan
R Andersson, Lars
R Balck, Sebastian
R Wetterhall, Alexander
R Zamudio Rocha, Sergio

Motiv3 Pro-Cycling Team
PL/DS Enger, Fred Arne
191 Abrahamsen, Jonas
192 Flotten, Audun Brekke
193 Haave, Marius Ness
194 Kristoffersen, Anders
195 Lindstad Hurum, Sondre
196 Romstad Lovik, Asmund
R Aakvik, Niklas
R Kleiven, Njal


Stages

Stage 1: 28th May Bergen – Ulvik, 163 km

elevation_profile


Stage 2: 29th May Eidfjord – Haugesund, 202 km

elevation_profile


Stage 3: 30th May Hjelmeland – Forsand, 152 km

elevation_profile
 
There's a slightly different startlist on procyclingstats.
#cult Magnus Cort being replaced by Martin Mortensen.
In my opinion, it wouldn't have made sense for Cort to ride here; instead, he has to be the overwhelming favourite to win the danish U23 championships next weekend. says Fus on VR.
 
Today's stage could decide the race, it's the hardest one and will be tough to control for Katjusja, particularly considering the 6-man teams.

A lot of teams with no sprinter on the line-up, so I imagine there will be fireworks on the final climb.
 
Stage 1 result:
1 BAUGNIES JeromeWanty - Groupe Gobert16203:52:54
2 CORT NIELSEN MagnusCult Energy Vital Water1112,,
3 ENGER Sondre HolstTeam Sparebanken Sør67,,
4 TRUSOV NikolayTinkoff-Saxo55,,
5 KRISTOFF AlexanderTeam Katusha 44,,
6 SBARAGLI KristianMTN - Qhubeka23,,
7 JACOBS PieterTopsport Vlaanderen – Baloise2,,
8 BETTIOL AlbertoCannondale 1,,
9 CLAUSEN PatrickTeam Trefor - Blue Water,,

Full: http://www.procyclingstats.com/race/Tour_des_Fjords_2014_Stage_1_Ulvik
 
argyllflyer said:
The contrast between the Tour of Norway and this is stark. They'd be as well renaming the former as Tour of the Housing Estates and Grim Forests.

Tour des Fjords and Arctic Race of Norway are both stunning however.

Agree, stunning but race action could very well end in 5 bunch sprints. How will the fans react? Some might tune in and actually see the landscape, but I wouldn't be surprised if many just skips to the last few minutes of each stage especially if nothing happens as we go along.

I watched a few of ToN's stages (total broadcast) because the action was great.

If Tour des Fjords can somehow beef up the parcours a bit, I think they have a winning combination.

Anyway I will watch another stage tonight and see how it plays out.
 
Dazed and Confused said:
Agree, stunning but race action could very well end in 5 bunch sprints. How will the fans react? Some might tune in and actually see the landscape, but I wouldn't be surprised if many just skips to the last few minutes of each stage especially if nothing happens as we go along.

I watched a few of ToN's stages (total broadcast) because the action was great.

If Tour des Fjords can somehow beef up the parcours a bit, I think they have a winning combination.

Anyway I will watch another stage tonight and see how it plays out.
Yesterday's stage wasn't a bunch sprint though, as an attacker held off...Also, the attacks were flying, and it was never certain that things would come back together. I'd say it was a pretty entertaining stage.

Those parcours wouldn't produce much action with regular sized teams, but with 6-man teams I think there will still be plenty of action on the remaining stages, particularly since no one seems willing to help Katjusja.
 
argyllflyer said:
The contrast between the Tour of Norway and this is stark. They'd be as well renaming the former as Tour of the Housing Estates and Grim Forests.

Tour des Fjords and Arctic Race of Norway are both stunning however.

Wait... I thought this was the Actic Race of Norway.
And before that I thought Tour des Fjords and Tour of Norway was the same...

How many races does Norway have?
 
maltiv said:
Yesterday's stage wasn't a bunch sprint though, as an attacker held off...Also, the attacks were flying, and it was never certain that things would come back together. I'd say it was a pretty entertaining stage.

Those parcours wouldn't produce much action with regular sized teams, but with 6-man teams I think there will still be plenty of action on the remaining stages, particularly since no one seems willing to help Katjusja.

Fair enough. Kristoff doesn't appear to be the kind of rider who lies down quickly. I'll watch a couple more stages.
 
argyllflyer said:
The contrast between the Tour of Norway and this is stark. They'd be as well renaming the former as Tour of the Housing Estates and Grim Forests.

Tour des Fjords and Arctic Race of Norway are both stunning however.

Well they could change the parcours and you would see something totally different.

Arctic race is above the arctic circle. Tour des Fjords is about fjords and is focused on the west coast. Tour of Norway can bring in a lot more elements depending on where they put the course. Lets say they choose to focus the race a bit west of the current area or a bit north. You could include more mountainous terrain etc.

Then perhaps you would call the race Tour of mountains and lakes.

I think it's easier to keep the current name.;)

RedheadDane said:
Wait... I thought this was the Actic Race of Norway.
And before that I thought Tour des Fjords and Tour of Norway was the same...

How many races does Norway have?

It has Hadeland and Ringerike GP. One day races of the 1.2 category.
Tour of Norway which is 2.HC.
Tour des Fjords which is 2.1. and
Arctic race of Norway which is 2.1.
 
ToreBear said:
Well they could change the parcours and you would see something totally different.

Arctic race is above the arctic circle. Tour des Fjords is about fjords and is focused on the west coast. Tour of Norway can bring in a lot more elements depending on where they put the course. Lets say they choose to focus the race a bit west of the current area or a bit north. You could include more mountainous terrain etc.

Then perhaps you would call the race Tour of mountains and lakes.

I think it's easier to keep the current name.;)

haha the point I was trying to make (I think) is that for a beautiful country it's a shame the tour with the country's name doesn't seem to show it at its best (I seem to recall something similar last year when EBH won). The other two 2.1s do the job there though.
 
argyllflyer said:
haha the point I was trying to make (I think) is that for a beautiful country it's a shame the tour with the country's name doesn't seem to show it at its best (I seem to recall something similar last year when EBH won). The other two 2.1s do the job there though.

The one stage EBH won was repeated. It was the Lillehammer stage. I think last year there was a lot of rain. I think the sun came up only on the last two stages, so one couldn't see much.

I guess we will have to see what happens next year, though it would be nice to see something that has a different feel to it. Personally I hope they go west into the mountains a bit.
 
They need a Norwegian climber to come to the fore so we can get a proper mountainous race, I get the feeling the Tour of Norway is kind of a Tour of the Oslofjord to stay close to population centres, and the parcours is designed to maximise the reasons for people like Kristoff and EBH to show up.

They have stages finishing in Drammen, which is very close to Oslo, and they could have a 1-2 of puncheur climbs with Hagatjern before Drammen then a Murito finish at Landfalltjernet (I think they might have finished at Landfalltjernet the year they were 2.2 and Wilco Kelderman won, but not since going pro). I've been begging for a finish at Holmenkollen or Tryvann - plenty of room, the climb is enough to make a difference on a flat to hilly race but not enough to make it a one-stage race, and it's on the Oslo T-bane. And even as a Tour of the Oslofjord it sadly doesn't make the best of the sights, and that's hardly the most scenic part of Norway either (even though I absolutely love Oslo).

Anyway, you know what this race needs? It's finishing around Stavanger, just down the road from Sandnes, which hosts the Blink Festival, with its summer skiing and biathlon events. And that travels out a bit for a hillclimb race called the Lysebotn Opp. It's a ludicrously beautiful climb from a village in the Lysefjord.

lysebotnroad1.jpg


Unfortunately, however, the village at the bottom simply cannot be connected to anything else; this is the only road out, and so involving it in a genuine race would be nigh on impossible... however, an MTT...

Lysefjordsveien.gif


The Lysebotn Opp only climbs as far as Øygarstøl, so only just over 7km. That in my opinion is good, because it's steep, but short enough that the gaps won't be such that there can't be good racing on the other stages with a few hills here and there - it's not a "win the TT win the race" or "win the mountaintop win the race" event.

Edit: also, anybody interested in seeing Norway in its purest beauty could watch this video. They famously broadcast the view from a Hurtigruten cruise ship, non-stop, and broke all kinds of viewing figure records in Norway. This video condenses it into one 37-minute chunk. I was in Norway at the time it was being broadcast, and can vouch for the hypnotic power of it. It was really nice after being out for an evening to come back in, chill out with a drink you hadn't had to pay a ludicrous amount for, and relax in front of some mesmerising scenery.
 

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