Rain and wind turn opening stage in Norway into chaos: 20-year-old talent wins, Brennan and Del Grosso are just too late

While the Giro d’Italia is entering its final days, many riders are kicking off their summer campaign at the Tour of Norway. Scandinavia hosted an impressive start list, including Tibor Del Grosso (Alpecin-Deceuninck), Brennan (Visma | Lease a Bike), Maxim Van Gils (Red Bull–BORA–hansgrohe), and Axel Laurance (INEOS Grenadiers).

Alexander Kristoff of Uno-X was also present, using his home race to announce his retirement from professional cycling. The Norwegian currently holds 97 professional victories and has set his sights on reaching the 100-win mark in his final months as a pro.

Racing took place in and around Sola, of course, under rainy skies, which some local riders knew how to handle. Daniel Arnes, Ludvik Holstad, Eirik Vang Aas, Storm Ingebrigtsen, and Joshua Gudnitz were given a head start by the peloton, which already split due to a crash 70 kilometers from the finish. Defending champion Axel Laurance was among those involved and had to abandon the race shortly afterward.

The wind also played its part, causing the peloton to split again, this time leaving 35 riders in the front group. That number was later reduced to 18, including Kristoff, Brennan, and Tim van Dijke. A strong group, but over the following kilometers, more riders managed to make it back, and the front group kept up a high pace.

As the final lap in Sola began, Visma | Lease a Bike got serious, launching a chase in the harsh conditions. With five kilometers to go, the gap was still 22 seconds, keeping the outcome uncertain right to the end. Ingebrigtsen rode the final kilometer solo.

In that technical closing stretch, the barely 20-year-old Norwegian held on, while the sprint for second place behind him went to Brennan.