Arctic Race of Norway 2025 Stage 2

August 8, 2025 Nearly all of the 2,300 elevation meters are gained in the first half of the 166KM stage between Tennevoll and Sørreisa. Shortly after leaving Tennevoll, there are two first category climbs but they average just 4% so, depending on how quick the break goes, the sprinters should make it over in the peloton. Continuing North, the riders pass the scenic Skøvatnet, a natural lake nestled amongst the hills. Once in Sørreisa, there are three 13.6KM laps with a 2KM gravel section on each lap. The finish should be more for the pure sprinters than yesterday's uphill bunch finish. The sun came out to show the world what this part of Norway has to offer. Mirror still lakes and rocky mountain outcrops were on display as the break away formed outside of Tennevoll. Four riders made the selection including Josh Burnett of Burgos-Burpellet BH, Morthen Wang Baksaas of the Norwegian National Team, Storm Ingebrigtsen of Coop-Repsol, and Georg Rydningen Martinsen of Lillehammer CK. Once again, the peloton had them on a tight leash and with 81KM to go, the lead was just 50 seconds. When the gap is kept so close, it teases out moves from the bunch and with 78KM to go, Eirik Vang Aas of Coop-Repsol attacked and quickly made it up to the break. Israel-Premier Tech backed off and the gap went out to 1 minute 45 seconds. The bunch got more active with 44KM to go on the approach to the circuit. They were all spread across the road, charging towards Sørreisa, and taking chunks out of the breakaway's gap. The break entered the circuit at 41KM and hit the first passage of the gravel sector 4KM later. With yesterday's rain, the road was well packed and not particularly dusty which made it easy enough for the riders to negotiate. Through the finish line at 27KM to go, Vang Aas attacked the break but the peloton were only half a minute behind. Vang Aas was reabsorbed by the break on the second time through the gravel as Israel-Premier Tech took hold of the peloton to close the gap for good. The race was back together at 15KM from the finish but 2KM later, Abram Stockman of Unibet-Tietema Rockets took a flyer. He built a 10 second gap and, a few kilometers later on the gravel sector, Kevin Vermaerke of Picnic-PostNL attacked and bridged up to make two leaders. Stockman couldn't follow the American on the rolling gravel roads which left just Vermaerke at the front. It was a brave move but Uno-X Mobility got organized and made the catch just inside 4KM to go. Intermarché-Wanty, Flanders-Baloise, and Israel-Premier Tech all were challenging Uno-X Mobility for the front. It was very messy from from tenth to thirtieth wheel with everyone fighting to be on the back of the Uno-X Mobility train. Inside the barriers with 500M to go, Arkéa-B&B Hotels were side by side with Uno-X Mobility and XDS-Astana. Alexander Kristoff won the final corner and led through first at 200M with a teammate on his wheel. Kristoff's teammate soft-pedaled through and when Kristoff came out of the corner, he already had multiple bike lengths on the next closest rider. He powered home for victory by a mile ahead of Tom Van Asbroeck of Israel-Premier Tech and Karsten Larsen Feldmann of Coop-Repsol of Coop-Repsol.