07.10.2026
The government has left the Tour of Norway out of the national budget once again. Now we at the Tour of Norway are sounding the alarm: Without government support, the future of Scandinavia’s only international stage race for both men and women is in serious danger.
Last year, the race lost its state funding completely out of the blue. Since then, we have talked to politicians across all parties, and several called the funding cut a “mistake”. Because the government increased support for the Arctic Race of Norway, we had high hopes of getting our funding back. But in today’s budget proposal, the Tour of Norway is nowhere to be found.
– This is a massive blow to Norwegian cycling. While other major international events get a boost, we are being pushed aside for the second year in a row. As the only professional stage race in Scandinavia for both women and men on equal terms, it is hugely disappointing to be overlooked once again, says Roy Hegreberg, Managing Director of the Tour of Norway.
The women’s race is hit the hardest Over the past few years, we have put a massive amount of work into building an international stage race for the world’s best female cyclists on Norwegian soil, with the exact same conditions as the men. We successfully pulled this off in 2025. Without government funding, it will be impossible to organize the Tour of Norway in 2027 and the years ahead.
– We give Norway’s biggest cycling stars and the world elite a stage right here at home. This is especially critical for our women’s event, which has been so important for us to build up alongside the men’s race. Without support, we lose the chance to grow a top-tier international race for women in Norway, Hegreberg emphasizes.
Putting our faith in Parliament Since the Labour Party and the government have chosen not to prioritize us, we are now placing our trust in the opposition and the other political parties in Parliament during this autumn’s budget talks.
– The budget is still just a proposal. We are asking Parliament to step in, fix this, and ensure that international cycling races in Norway are treated fairly. We haven’t given up the fight for this great celebration of cycling in both cities and rural areas, or for our top female and male riders to get to race at home and inspire young and old to use their bikes more often, says Race Director Alexander Kristoff.
For interviews, further comments, or figures on the economic impact, please contact: Roy Hegreberg, Managing Director – Phone: +47 996 03 143, E-mail: roy@tourofnorway.no