30.05.2025
Stage 2 of the Tour of Norway offered a completely different menu compared to yesterday’s opening stage.
This was the longest stage of the race at 212 kilometers, and unlike yesterday’s tough battle through the open Jæren landscape, today the riders faced nearly 3,600 meters of climbing. The biggest challenge came after about 130 kilometers, where the race’s only Category 1 climb brought a nearly 16-kilometer ascent up to Sirdalstoppen. Before that, the riders tackled hilly terrain that also included a Category 2 climb. If the race remained status quo heading into the final 10 kilometers, the 1.7-kilometer uphill finish to Oltedal would be a perfect opportunity for the puncheurs in the peloton to fight for victory.
The stage started in Egersund, which has previously served as both a start and finish town in the Tour of Norway. The weather conditions were also much better today than during yesterday’s shock encounter with the Norwegian summer. At the start, the temperature was around 13–14 degrees Celsius, partly cloudy, and with a light breeze.
There was high activity in the peloton right from the start, with several riders trying to break away, which caused multiple splits in the first few kilometers. Kasper Haugland — riding for the Norwegian national team for the occasion (though he normally represents Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale’s development team) — and Brage Aulstad (Lillehammer CK) managed to escape. The duo was later joined by the Danish veteran Emil Toudal (ColoQuick), who bridged up solo. None of these riders were considered threats in the overall standings, and the peloton eased off the gas.
Brage Aulstad was first over the Category 2 climb at Rundtjørn and claimed 6 points. The remaining KOM points from the front group went to Kasper Haugland and Emil Toudal. At that point, the breakaway had gained more than five minutes, and Kasper Haugland was the virtual overall leader.
A large chase group broke away from the peloton in pursuit of the lead trio. All the major teams were represented — except Visma | Lease a Bike. The main bunch quickly took control, increased the pace, and reeled the group back in. Things seemed to settle down as expected. Between the breakaway and the main field rode a lone chaser, Jonas Walton (Project Echelon), who tried to bridge to the trio. But it turned out to be “Mission Impossible” for the Canadian U23 time trial champion, who rejoined the peloton before the 16-kilometer climb up to Sirdalstoppen.
Two riders launched an attack — Mikkel Bjerg (UAE) and Thomas Gloag (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) — and rapidly closed in on the breakaway. However, it was Denmark’s Emil Toudal who was first over Sirdalstoppen, earning 10 points and taking the KOM jersey. Bjerg and Gloag eventually caught the leading duo after Brage Aulstad had to drop back. But their attempt to steal the stage didn’t succeed.
With 16 kilometers to go, the peloton was all together again after Uno-X Mobility had taken responsibility for reeling in the break. As the road began to rise toward the final KOM sprint, the pace quickened, and Jan Christen (UAE) was first over the top, followed by Ådne Holter (Uno-X Mobility). All that remained was the final climb to the finish in Oltedal.
Jan Christen made a solo move, but it wasn’t enough. Instead, it was yesterday’s runner-up, Matthew Brennan (Visma | Lease a Bike), who had the strongest legs in the steep finale and claimed his eighth win of the season. Maxim Van Gils (Red Bull-BORA-Hansgrohe) finished second, while Victor Langellotti (INEOS Grenadiers) took third.
The best Norwegian was Ludvik Holstad (Lillehammer CK) with a strong 9th place, ahead of Ådne Holter (Uno-X Mobility) and Odd Christian Eiking (Unibet Tietema Rockets), who placed 10th and 11th respectively.
Storm Ingebrigtsen (Team Coop-Repsol) finished 27th but sits 4th overall, just 16 seconds behind today’s winner.