War of words erupts in Norway over absence of biggest stars from Rwanda: “The World Championships aren’t a priority – It’s a shame”

Norway’s cycling community has been plunged into debate after confirmation that several of the country’s leading names will not take the start at the UCI Road World Championships in Rwanda. The decision of key Uno-X Mobility riders to prioritise UCI points in Canada rather than the chance to race for the rainbow jersey has sparked a public clash between the press and the national coach.

Mads Kaggestad, a former professional turned expert analyst for TV2, has been withering in his criticism of the federation’s approach, arguing that both ambition and clear communication are sorely lacking. “The federation isn’t assertive enough and lacks the confidence to tell the teams that this is important and that we want them to prioritise it,” he told TV2. “As it stands, the Worlds aren’t a priority. There’s no belief we can perform – we’re standing there cap in hand, watching, even though we have riders who can compete.”

He further pointed to last-minute organisation and insufficient dialogue with teams and riders. “The Worlds have slipped off the radar, and that’s a shame. It should be a natural, unifying goal,” he added.

National coach Kai Lexberg has hit back strongly, insisting the federation has done its part to plan and communicate.

“I don’t understand what Mads means. Communication with teams and riders has been good. I emailed riders as early as 20 December last year to ask who was interested in racing the Worlds,” Lexberg said.

The coach accepts that Uno-X’s World Tour survival battle plays a role in rider priorities but regrets that the best Norwegians will be absent from Rwanda. “Of course I would like to have the strongest riders available, but that’s not the reality, and it’s beyond my control,” he added.

While Sven Erik Bystrom, Johannes Staune-Mittet, Embret Svestad-Bardseng and Andreas Leknessund will represent Norway in Rwanda, several prominent Uno-X names have been racing in Canada recently, chasing points vital in the team’s fight with Cofidis for the final World Tour licence.

Former world champion Thor Hushovd, now in the Uno-X hierarchy, has defended the decision: “There are many points to be won at the Worlds, but it’s a hard course that demands altitude preparation, vaccinations and sacrifices. We haven’t forbidden riders to go, but sometimes other things are more important.”

Norwegian cycling is enjoying a period of unprecedented visibility. Tobias Johannessen finished sixth at the Tour de France, Jonas Abrahamsen claimed a stage win, and Torstein Traeen wore the red jersey at the Vuelta. Yet none of them will be present when the rainbow jersey is contested in Africa.

For Kaggestad, that absence speaks volumes. “A top-10 finish would be good, but it’s not something the public will celebrate. Norway has riders for all terrains, but the best are staying away. That’s a shame for the sport, and a shame for the Worlds,” he concluded.