Irishman Sam Bennett has won the second stage of the Arctic Race Of Norway.
A 162.5km stage from Evenskjer to Setermoen was one of five climbs and saw Edvald Boasson-Hagen of MTN Qhubeka take the first sprint of the day with race leader Alexander Kristoff of Katusha in the blue jersey in third place.
August Jensen was first over the climb of the day - the Skodderbergvatnet before six riders in Jean Marc Bideau, Ayazbayev, Krister Hagen, Hagen Carl Fredrik, Torstein Tren and Sinder Eid Her, broke with 63kms gone.
The gap had gone up to three minutes when Theo Bos was forced to abandon before Hagen took the next sprint.
The final climb brought the first rider over the summit a prize of 500 kilogrammes of Norwegian salmon and only Bideau and Hagen were left to contest the final which was won by Bideau who faces the uneviable task of deciding what to do with a half a ton of salmon!
Hagen took another sprint but the escapers were to be caught and it was time for the sprinters to have their day.
The race ended in a sprint which Bennett won in 3.41.05 ahead of Zurlo and stage one winner Alexander Kristoff, who keeps his blue jersey.
Speaking about his win, Bennett said: “I felt absolutely terrible all day and actually I considered during the stage not to sprint. But the guys convinced my to try and they did an absolutely fantastic lead out. When I lost the wheel on a fast downhill part before the sprint I was disappointed and but again I didn’t want to let the guys down after such a good lead out. I kept going and just found enough room to go for it. Big thanks to everyone in the team!”