Thrills and spills on stage two of Arctic Race of Norway

Team Novo Nordisk got caught just outside the top placings on the second day of racing in the Polar North at the Arctic Race of Norway after an action packed day of racing saw team captain Andrea Peron first home and looking at the positives.

The second day of racing in Norway began at the foot of a first category climb before settling into an undulating yet regular 170km to the finishing circuits around Fauske, with the pace remaining high throughout as the peloton sought to keep the breakaway in check.

The battle for the break had happened early and four riders went clear out of the neutral zone and weren’t caught until after the gravel sector on the last lap with less than 10 km remaining. In between, crashes, splits and mechanicals had all occurred and left a reduced peloton fighting for the result.

“Matyas and I got split off the back for the front group with around 5km to go,” said Peron. “It was an aggressive day and the last 50km in particular were full on, so even if we had been able hold on until the sprint…I’m not sure how much energy either of us would have had for the final.”

“I was only a few seconds back, but the work we put in earlier cost us. Todays result aside, I’m really happy to be back racing with the boys and what a beautiful place to be doing it in!”

Photo credit: Sprint Cycling Agency