The Tour of Norway is plotting a major comeback after being wiped off the 2026 calendar due to severe government funding cuts. Fresh off his retirement from the professional peloton at the end of the 2025 season, Norwegian sprinting icon Alexander Kristoff has been appointed as the new race director for both the men's and women's events. Backed by a fresh injection of private investment, Kristoff and promotional company Fjords Cycling are already working to resurrect the races for 2027.
A financial lifeline after a its cancellation in 2026
The loss of state financial backing forced organizers to make the painful decision to cancel the 2026 editions of the men's and women's stage races. However, the future looks bright again thanks to a two million kroner (€267,000) investment boost from the Sparebankstiftelsen SR-Bank foundation.
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Roy Hegreberg, CEO of Fjords Cycling, emphasized just how vital this funding is for the long-term survival of elite racing in the country. “The support is absolutely crucial for us," Hegreberg said in an official statement. "It makes it possible to strengthen the team at Fjords Cycling for the next three years, so that we can continue our work of organizing professional cycling races in Norway for some of the world's best riders, both women and men."
Kristoff, who previously served as a race ambassador, will now dive into the operational side of the event. His new role will see him designing courses, coordinating with incoming teams, and securing commercial partners to ensure the event has a stable foundation.
Kristoff celebrating his 97th professional win, which came at the 2025 Vuelta a Andalucía
“The Tour of Norway has been a highlight throughout my active career, and especially when we rode in Stavanger, which is truly my home turf," Kristoff said. "We have a unique race in fantastic surroundings, with people living along the course, which we will work hard to bring back in 2027. I look forward to being part of the team.”
Fjords Cycling has been running the event since 2012, originally under the Tour des Fjords banner before taking over the Tour of Norway name in 2019. Last year it was Matthew Brennan who secured the GC, ahead of Victor Langellotti and Jan Christen.
Félix SernaCycling Journalist
Félix Serna is a writer at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2025. He covers professional cycling across both the men’s and women’s calendars, with a focus on UCI rankings, race developments, and rider performance. His work includes interview-based reports, liveblogs, and tournament coverage designed to provide clear, accurate context throughout the season.
In his reporting, Félix regularly uses ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical reference. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. He holds a bachelor’s degree in International Studies.
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