04/08/2018

“Fantastic. Challenging. Beautiful. What else do you want?”

Boarding the ferry once again this morning, the riders of the inaugural Maserati Haute Route Norway got to enjoy a 90-minute crossing through the Lysefjord to reach the little town of Lysebotn right at the end of the fjord. Once reunited with their bikes on land, riders got ready for a 9am start for the 122km long stage 2 which featured 2400m of climbing.

The main difficulty of the day loomed over riders as they were stood on the start line – a 9.3km climb up to Stølsdalen featuring an average gradient of 9.3%. Surrounded by the morning mist you could just about make out the hairpins at times, but the riders would have to start pedalling in order to discover it in its entirety, winding through the mist, rising up and out from the fjord.

Charlotte Thornycroft from the Black Widows Cycling Club was delighted with the start to the stage, “that was the ideal start to the day for me, a perfect climb,” she said with a smile on her face after reaching the summit. Thomas Zdeblick added “it was a demanding first climb, especially with a day of riding already in our legs from yesterday”.

“This is my first Haute Route so it’s interesting to see how the body reacts to riding multiple days,” added Thomas, seemingly impressed with how well he was riding after yesterday’s tough stage, and ready to take on what still lay ahead.

After cresting the top of the climb and battling through the ensuing 15km of rolling hills the peloton turned right off the small mountain road and out onto a long stretch of flatter road that took them in the direction of Sandnes.

The scenery throughout the rest of the stage was absolutely breath-taking, with the misting giving way to brighter skies despite the occasional shower, riders were able to appreciate the incredible views over the fjords as the snaked their way around them to make their way towards the finish line.

Several climbs remained, but none as long as the first one of the day, most riders managed to stay grouped together and then proceeded to work harmoniously on the false flats in groups of 10-15 riders in order to conserve energy and ride faster.

Heading into Sandnes, the stage still featured yet another short climb and then a final kick up to the finish line, testing the tired legs as they approached the end of day 2. “Who put that final hill there?” said many riders as they crossed the finish line with a relieved smile on their faces.

Cheryl Boshi from South Africa was full of praise for all her fellow riders at the finish line, congratulating all those she had shared the work with in the valley, impressed with how strong they all were before posing with them for a photo.

Riding his first Haute Route, Gunnar Steven from Germany was delighted to have been able to ride in a group for the second part of the stage “There was a bit of a headwind there on the flat and downhill section,” he explained, “so I was lucky to have a group to ride with for a majority of that section”.

“I’d done a number of one day events but this is my first Haute Route,” he continued, “I’m really impressed with the organisation but also with all the riders I’m riding with. I think the top of the first climb today was also one of the most beautiful sceneries I have ever seen, I loved the little lakes”.

At the front of the race today it was William Turnes of France who took the stage win once again to consolidate his leader’s jersey, finishing just 4 seconds ahead of James O’Connell and 40 seconds ahead of Trev Williams. In the women’s race it was Lucy Deschamps who took the stage win, improving on her third place from yesterday but unable to wrestle the leader’s jersey from Beathe Tvelta. The Duo stage wins went to Team Autoxo Sport for the men, Team Yorkshire for the mixed and Lou-Al-Fjord Rock for the women.

After completing two long stages, the only thing remaining between the international peloton of riders and the status of Haute Route Finisher is tomorrow’s time trial in Stavanger. At just 17.6km in length and with 329m of climbing, it is their chance to empty the tank and finish their adventure atop Ullandhaugtårnet where they will be able to reflect on their achievements and enjoy the moment.