“I suffered a puncture and a crash” - Guillermo Thomas Silva’s epic overall victory in Arctic Race of Norway as he defends lead
Cycling
Thomas Silva wrapped up a perfect week at the Arctic Race of Norway by sealing overall victory. The Uruguayan from XDS Astana Team defended his lead on the final stage to Narvik, where he finished third, and celebrated one of the biggest wins of his career.
“I’m very happy with this victory, very happy,” summed up Silva after the race. The Uruguayan especially praised his team’s work on a complicated day, where he had to protect a 10-second cushion over Lennert Van Eetvelt.
“The plan with the team was to control the race. It was a tricky, very fast stage, but the guys worked really well and, in the finale, I controlled the climb and my pace, staying alert to the GC rivals,” explained Silva. The leader managed his effort on the final ascent to Narvikfjellet and kept a close eye on his main opponents.
A day that started the wrong way
The aim wasn’t only to defend the lead. Silva also tried to cap his performance with another stage win, after taking the third day. “I tried to win the stage, but it wasn’t possible,” admitted the Uruguayan, who ultimately settled for third, three seconds behind winner Cedrik Bakke Christophersen.
The overall triumph carries extra weight given the hurdles Silva overcame on the final day of racing in the Arctic Circle. The leader punctured and also crashed in the early kilometres, complicating a day that ended in the best possible way.
“Satisfied, very happy. It was a very hard day, I had a puncture and a crash at the start — the day began a bit the wrong way,” said the XDS Astana rider. The team reacted quickly and brought him back to where he needed to be to face the finale with confidence.
Guillermo Thomas Silva keeps winning in 2026.
Silva wants to return to Norway next year
“After that, my teammates did an enormous job and we hit the last climb with chances,” stressed Silva, highlighting their role on a day when defending the lead meant shutting down every rival move.
In the end, the Uruguayan crested with the best, finished third, and secured the overall ahead of Van Eetvelt and Alessandro Pinarello. “Happy to win the GC,” he concluded.
The victory also leaves the Uruguayan eager to return to a race he particularly enjoyed riding. “It’s a beautiful race. I hope to come back next year,” said Silva after conquering the Arctic Race.
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
claps 1visitors 1
Just in
Popular news
Latest comments
- So gracious to offer something no-one would be prepared to pay for. The Giro is not the Tour and doesn’t command the same interest or attract the same “elite” (those willing to pay to be a part of something they consider has ego boosting potential). Roadside viewing will always largely remain free for everyone outside circuits. Introduction of a symbolic entrance to mountain climbs is worthy of exploration. Asking 1-2€ isn’t going to repulse real fans (most will spend 50-100€ on their outing that day all things included) but will prevent a portion of the total knobhead thrillseekers who will join in any large gathering as long as it’s free, just because they’re attracted to crowds, without which it it difficult for them to work up their anti-social behaviour.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- How is radio going to help when someone went over a cliff or bridge or off the roadside into a forest unnoticed and is laying there unconscious?Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Yep, next we’ll be accusing F1 drivers of avoiding Le Mans.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- But on what is that opinion based? Are you holding him to a different standard than others? Are you saying he should do learn to like something he doesn’t Are you saying he hasn’t achieved enough Are you saying he pretends to be better than his results? It’s actually a really strange opinion to oust if you consider it objectively or rationally. Try applying it to others or yourself by asking if not EVERYONE should then be doing more? Nobody in athletics or swimming gets criticism for not expanding their repertoire when a rival or someone else does. In fact, most who move to another event get accused of running from their rival. Opinions are boring, the reasons behind them are what count.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- for a medical chief to throw things like is just bad. There are already radios which were banned for spectacle. allow radios. Gps trackers are not a complete solutionabstractengineer07-11-2026
- Yeah man...PogiSloFans07-11-2026
- any rider less than 25 whether they are really ready for the position of leadership of GT is probably not the case. I think Pogi himself suffered when he was defeated by Jonas in the TDF twice. But that would be the team's job to ensure support so that they can bounce back. It requires a team and time to get back up and win after getting knocked down.abstractengineer07-11-2026
- I'm very glad he got the big late Quickstep Vuelta win and I hope he has a few left for Euskaltel-Euskadi.flyer07-11-2026
- My memories of Ivan Basso aren't good but I liked his sister Elisa ok.flyer07-11-2026
- I'm picking .... .... Never mind 🫥flyer07-11-2026
Loading
Write a comment