Celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Arctic Race of Norway at Tour de France
July 20 th 2023 - 16:43 [GMT + 2]
This year marks 10 years since the first edition of the Arctic Race of Norway. The anniversary was marked at the Tour de France by organizing a Norwegian day in the finish area of the 15th stage at the foot of Mont Blanc on Sunday. The main attraction was the siblings Toril and Lotta Udnes Weng and Arctic Race of Norway winner Andreas Leknessund, who competed on roller skis and bicycle on the finish line in front of the Tour de France audience.
The two skiers received huge response from the audience in the finish area. There were quite a few Norwegians down in the corner, so we were cheered on, which is what we were hoping for, says Lotta Udnes Weng with a smile. CEO Knut-Eirik Dybdal of the Arctic Race of Norway says that the Tour de France, has been important for Arctic Race of Norway since the beginning.
The Tour de France is the world's biggest cycling race, and one of the world's biggest sporting events. That makes it extra special that they give us this attention and let us organize Norwegian Day in the finish area, says Dybdal. On Saturday, the Norwegian Minister of Culture, Lubna Jaffery, got to experience the Tour de France up close together with Arctic Race of Norway. Chair of the County Council in Troms and Finnmark, Kristina Torbergsen, and Deputy Chair of the County Council in Nordland, Svein Øien Eggesvik, were in attendance. Dybdal emphasizes the importance of the contribution from the Ministry of Culture and the counties, together with the other partners, so that the Arctic Race of Norway can be organised in new locations year after year.
The Tour de France is also heavily involved in the Arctic Race of Norway, and Dybdal believes that the expertise of the world's largest organizers of bicycle races is absolutely unique. The Tour de France has been an important contributor to the development of the Arctic Race of Norway throughout the ten years we have existed. We are happy to have the opportunity to bring other important partners to the Tour de France to have good conversations, and together experience the unique atmosphere. It is especially fun to be able to showcase some of the best Norway has to offer to a French audience, says Dybdal.
