"I know a lot of people come to watch because of me" - Andreas Leknessund hoping to live up to expectations at the Arctic Race of Norway

Andreas Leknessund will be heading back to the Arctic Race of Norway as defending champion and whilst he is aware that brings an added level of expectation and pressure, the 24-year-old is keen to impress once again.

“I was not feeling well at the time. It was also a bit of; am i sick? During the first hour of the final stage, I had a really hard time. I was at the very back of the pack with doubts about whether I would finish the race. But then the feeling improved and I just jumped with the attack to show that I at least tried," the Norwegian recalls from last year when he won stage 4 and the general classification.

"This is my home race. Of course, I want to show that I am here. I know a lot of people come to watch because of me. You have to show yourself, I think,” he declares. “In the end, I managed to stay ahead for a few more laps and suddenly there was the finish. It was also a big surprise for me that I won the stage and the final classification.”

Part of a strong Team DSM-Firmenich lineup, Leknessund is one of the various options that they can look to during the race. "In a race like this you have to keep all options open. The course of the match is very difficult to predict," he previews. "Of course I am motivated to defend my title, but we also have other guys who are in super good shape. And with Alberto Dainese we also have someone with us for the sprints.”