01.06.2025
Stavanger provided a spectacular setting for the grand finale of the 2025 Women’s Tour of Norway.
The 108-kilometer-long final stage featured a demanding circuit with five ascents of the iconic Grisabakken – a course that truly separated the wheat from the chaff. Today, the very first winner of the Women’s Tour of Norway would be crowned.
Already on the first lap, the peloton was split in two after a crash, but the groups eventually came back together. The first of five Queen of the Mountain sprints was won by Ashleigh Moolman Pasio (AG Insurance – Soudal), who claimed 4 points ahead of Rosita Reijnhout (2 points) and Kamilla Aasebø (1 point).
The pace was high, and it didn’t take long before the attacks started. Fariba Hashimi, Afghan national champion and rider for Hess Cycling Team, launched an attack but was quickly reeled in by the chasing peloton.
AG Insurance – Soudal took control of the race and also claimed the second QOM sprint – this time it was overall leader Justine Ghekiere who crested Grisabakken first, ahead of her teammate Moolman Pasio. Once again, the peloton split, and this time only about 30 riders remained in the front group.
The first intermediate sprint was won by local favorite Susanne Andersen, who had previously pointed out this stage as her best opportunity to take a stage win in this year’s race.
Shortly after the sprint, Daniek Hengeveld (Ceratizit) broke away solo and built a gap of over 1.5 minutes. In the bunch, Uno-X Mobility and AG Insurance took up the chase to keep the lead under control.
With 47 kilometers to go, Mie Bjørndal Ottestad launched a powerful attack, bridging up with Viktória Chladonová (Team Visma | Lease a Bike). The duo quickly closed in on Hengeveld, while AG Insurance – Soudal once again had to lead the chase from behind – both Ottestad and Chladonová were within 35 seconds of Ghekiere in the overall standings before the stage.
With one lap to go, Ottestad had caught Hengeveld, and the pair led by just under 45 seconds. At the same time, the Norwegian champion picked up 3 bonus seconds and 6 points in the intermediate sprint competition – making her the virtual race leader. Not long after, she dropped Hengeveld, who was feeling the effort after spending many kilometers out front.
As the riders entered the Sykkelstamvegen for the final time, Ottestad still held a solid gap – around 50 seconds – and maintained that margin over Grisabakken. At this point, only a mishap could deny her the win.
The Norwegian champion entered the final stretch alone in Vågen and crossed the finish line in majestic fashion. Susanne Andersen sprinted to second place from the chasing group, with Margot Vanpachtenbeke just behind.
Mie Bjørndal Ottestad claimed a historic and brilliant victory in Stavanger – becoming the very first winner of the Women’s Tour of Norway.