Preview stage 1. Throughout the 17th to the 20th of August, at the peak of summer, the snow defrosts in the Arctic circle and the peloton travels to northern Norway to race the
Arctic Race of Norway. It is a four-day stage-race that should feature good racing despite the crowded calendar position.
The opening stage will see a hilltop finish in Alta. It is a tricky finale with four laps of an explosive circuit that features two ascents: 1.6Km at 4.4% and 1.3Km at 3.2%, the latter coincides with the finish line, providing terrain where some sprinters can survive to fight for the win too.