31.05.2025
The sun was shining over Jørpeland as a new chapter was written in the Tour of Norway. For the very first time, a women’s stage race was held alongside the established men’s event. Ninety-eight riders from 17 teams set off on the 101-kilometre opening stage from Jørpeland to Heia, shining just as brightly as the sun. The challenging finishing climb to Heia — 2.2 kilometres long with an average gradient close to 8 percent — had to be tackled three times. A true test for the peloton.
Just 8 kilometres into the race came the first ascent of Heia — and with it, the first mountain points of the year. Justine Ghekiere (AG Insurance – Soudal), a former Queen of the Mountains in the Tour de France Femmes, was first over the top, securing 4 points in the battle for the red Strawberry jersey. Behind her followed Tiril Jørgensen (Team Coop – Repsol) and Lauren Dickson (Handsling Alba Development Road Team), taking 2 and 1 points respectively.
Shortly after, Jørgensen broke away alongside Germany’s Nele Laing (LKT-Team). The duo gained up to a two-minute lead on the peloton, where Uno-X Mobility and AG Insurance – Soudal took responsibility at the front — the teams with the strongest cards to play on paper.
A few kilometres before the second climb up to Heia, the riders contested the day’s only intermediate sprint. Tiril Jørgensen won it convincingly, earning 6 points and 3 bonus seconds. Laing followed with 4 points and 2 seconds.
The breakaway was caught just before the next ascent of Heia, where Uno-X Mobility upped the pace from the base of the climb. Once again, Ghekiere proved strongest and took another 6 mountain points. Behind her were Kathrine Aalerud and Mie Bjørndal Ottestad (both Uno-X Mobility), and Ashleigh Moolman Pasio (AG Insurance – Soudal), earning 4, 3, and 2 points respectively. Around 20 riders remained at the front after the climb — including many of the pre-race favourites.
Heading into the final ascent to Heia, Kathrine Aalerud led the charge for Uno-X Mobility, with teammate Ottestad close behind. Team Coop – Repsol also had three riders still in contention: Tiril Jørgensen, Stina Kagevi, and India Grangier.
With 1.5 kilometres to go, Ashleigh Moolman Pasio launched an attack but was quickly joined by Norwegian champion Ottestad. As the riders passed the final kilometre marker, Sarah Gigante made a powerful move and opened a small gap. Recently returned from a long injury break, Gigante led into the finishing straight — but was overtaken in the final hundred metres by her teammate Justine Ghekiere. The Belgian sprinted past to claim a historic victory — and with it, the mountain jersey, points jersey, and leader’s jersey!
Lauren Dickson (Handsling Alba Development Road Team) and Sarah Gigante (AG Insurance – Soudal) finished second and third.
The best Norwegian on the day was Kathrine Aalerud in 4th place, while Mie Bjørndal Ottestad took 7th. Tiril Jørgensen, who spent much of the day in the breakaway, finished in a strong 13th place.