Van Hummel Wins Artic Race Of Norway Opener

Last updated : 08 August 2013 By Covsupport News Service

Vacansoleil might be struggling to find funding but they were celebrating a one-two when Kenny Van Hummel won the opening stage of the Artic Race Of Norway ahead of his team mate Barry Markus.

Nine riders got away on the 192.5km stage which started and finished in Bodø and after 135kms, they had a lead of 1.40.

https://twitter.com/ArcticRaceofN/status/365390926719356928/photo/1

In the pouring rain, the break split and it was Seb Vanmarcke, Nordhaug, Tulik and Haller who took over in front with a lead of 1.10.

With 32kms to go, Tulik had been shed and the gap was down to 42 seconds.

The trio stayed away until 8.4kms to go when the peloton shot past them with Team Plus Bank on the front.

A tight left hander with 1.5kms to go and it was Belkin and Argos Shimano on the attack, whilst British rider Russell Downing moved up.

It came down to a bunch sprint and it was Vacansoleil's Kenny Van Hummel, who won in a time of 4.23.45 ahead of Barry Markus, Selig, Thor Hushovd, who has been appointed as a Norwegian Sporting Ambassador and Bol.

Van Hummel admitted to being really happy with his first win and said to Eurosport:"It is rainy and cold and I had a lot of clothes on today but my team took me. I had a good feeling and I did everything for the victory."