Edvald Boasson Hagen powers to victory in Tour of Norway
May 17 2018 11:36 pm CET
Photo of Edvald Boasson Hagen by Dimension Data/Nick Muzik
Dimension Data's Edvald Boasson Hagen has won the second stage in the Tour of Norway. The Norwegian won the sprint uphill, ahead of Sondre Holst Enger and Alex Aranburu. With his second place and the bonus seconds Enger took over the leader's jersey from yesterday's winner Dylan Groenewegen. The Israel Cycling Academy rider now leads the GC by two seconds over Hagen, and 5 over Groenewegen.
After Beñat Intxausti's (Team Sky) DNF yesterday, 119 riders took off for the second stage of the Tour of Norway today. The 146 kilometre course started in Hønefoss and finished with an uphill final stretch in Asker.
The Norwegian National Constitution Day inspired two home riders to show their team colours today. Bjørn Tore Hoem (Joker-Icopal) and Øivind Lukkedahl (Team Coop) formed the early breakaway together with Belgian Antoine Warnier (WB Aqua Protect Veranclassic) and Latvian Gatis Smukulis (Delko Marseille). They earned more than 3 minutes advantage.
Lukkedahl continued with his quest for the mountain jersey. He won both KOM’s yesterday and today he took the first KOM in Skaret, ahead of Warnier and Smukulis. The Belgian was the first one to drop back to the peloton, as he couldn't follow the pace up front. With 30 km to go, Dimension Data reduced the lead to less than a minute. Lukkedahl also took the second KOM, ahead of Hoem and Smukulis.
The break was caught with 20 kilometres to go, as LottoNL-Jumbo and Dimension Data set the pace. On one of the uncategorised climbs in the finale Sergio Samitier (Euskadi-Murias) tried to surprise the peloton, but he never got more than a handful of seconds as the peloton started preparing another group sprint.
Within the final 5 kilometres the sprinter's teams were fighting for the best position in the peloton. Some riders tried to surprise the peloton with a late attack on the final ascent, but they were all caught before the line.
Boasson Hagen then impressed with a strong uphill sprint, taking another victory in his home country. It is a happy day for Hagen, as he took his first season victory on his birthday.
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