Álvaro Hodeg triumphs in Mandal!

The young Colombian rider of Deceuninck–Quick-Step outsprinted the Norwegians in the second stage. He crossed the line in front of Kristoffer Halvorsen, Edvald Boasson Hagen and Alexander Kristoff.

The stage started from Kvinesdal with a climb at kilometer 0. Seven riders saw this as an opportunity to escape from the peloton. In the first 10 kilometers they fought to get away as the bunch continued to chase them keeping the gap under 40 seconds. When they approached the first categorized climb after 27 kilometers they had managed to get away. The gap grew to almost 4 minutes but never got bigger.

In the breakaway we found Taco Van Der Horn of Team Jumbo-Visma, Franck Bonnamour of Arkéa-Samsic, Markus Hoelgaard of Uno-X Norwegian Development Team, Henrik Evensen of Joker Fuel of Norway, Omer Goldstein of Israel Cycling Academy, Eirik Lunder of Team Coop and Elmar Reinders of Roompot - Charles Cycling Team who was already in the breakaway yesterday.

There were two intermediate sprints on the route, both in the first part of the stage. Franck Bonnamour crossed the line first in Farsund where Tour des Fjords started last year, and Taco Van Der Horn did the same in Lyngdal where there will be the start of the third stage. The two KOM were also located in the first half of the stage. Two Norwegians fought for points. Markus Hoelgaard took the points of the first climb in Ravneheia but it is Henrik Evensen who managed to get first on top at Ballestad (Cat 2. Climb) and who will wear the Sommervibber polka dot jersey tomorrow.

The 7 riders in the breakaway entered the final circuit in Mandal with an advantage of 2 minutes and 30 seconds with 37 kilometers to go. They fought hard to stay in front. Henrik Evensen and Markus Hoelgaard were the last two riders to survive but they got caught 1,5 kilometers from the line.

We were then heading to a bunch sprint. Perfectly placed in the wheel of his Deceuninck–Quick-Step teammate, Álvaro Hodeg launched his sprint 200m from the line and resisted to the comeback of Kristoffer Halvorsen! Cees Bol finished 8th of the stage and keeps his Uno X Yellow jersey.