Eddy the Boss strikes in Kristiansand on stage 3!

Third yesterday, Edvald Boasson Hagen took a stunning victory in Kristiansand today attacking with 2km to go and finishing solo! With 8 stage victories in Tour of Norway he now holds the record of stage wins together with Dag Erik Pedersen.

Soon after the start from Lyngdal, 3 riders decided to go in a breakaway. Andreas Vangstad of Joker Fuel of Norway, Andre Sotberg of Team Coop and Nikita Stalnov of Astana Pro Team. They managed to build up a 3’30” gap over the peloton in the slopes of Kleivtjønn where Andreas Vangstad took the most KOM points. During the second climb of the day at Haugebakkmyrane Nikita Stalnov decided to go solo. He rode in front for more than 10 kilometers before being caught by his breakaway companions.

The peloton has been riding fast all day and didn’t let any chance for the breakaway to succeed. Team Dimension Data had full confidence in Edvald Boasson Hagen and decided to ride in front for the last 30 kilometers once the breakaway got caught.

With 15 kilometers to go, Carl Fredrik Hagen attacked alone. Caught 4 kilometers later, he was the first to try but not the last. Tim Wellens tried as well in the last hill of the day but it is the attack of Ben Swift and Edvald Boasson Hagen with 2 kilometers to go which was the decisive one! They managed to create a 100m gap and even if the peloton got to catch Ben Swift, it didn’t reach Edvald Boasson Hagen who could raise his hands in the air!

Joris Nieuwenhuis finished second of the stage and will wear the Joker White jersey tomorrow. Alexander Kristoff crossed the line third and is now the Hammer Stavanger Blue jersey holder having most points.

Results: https://tourofnorway.no/gb/pro-race/rankings/495/3-etappe