Flat course and no matter what. It`s one of Aker to lose. Kristoff, Holst Enger, Hagen, Breen, Gjolberg, Ringheim, Lund, Hoelgaard. They all are belonging to the favourites. They did split their team of 18 riders into several pieces though into 2-4 rider squads. Is this enough to control the breakaway then?
4 riders in the break and while the smaller Norwegian team Risa has two options in there with Laengen and Vassdal, Aker only has one in Hoem as also Volkswagen in Blikra.
Behind the only team to chase a bit is Swedbank. As expected the small Aker squads are not able to do a lot against 4 in a break.
7km and Blikra attacks. He knows that the Risa duo is stronger. So it`s his best chance.
Vassdal tried to follow but is quickly caught again by the other two.
Still a gap for Blikra.
Final kilometer and 23s for him.
And he keeps the gap. While almost gapping the peloton he is celebrating this huge outsider victory.
Risa failed hugely there in the end. Laengen 2nd ahead of Vassdall.
Aker`s Hoem in 4th only.
Their attempt to split in several pieces really was a bad idea here as two 9 rider squads surely could have controlled things a lot better for Kristoff, Boasson Hagen or Holst Enger.
The ITT is also a problem for Aker as the top favourite comes from Swedbank. Haugard is the best time trialist as also Stenersen, who is on a similar level as Laengen of Aker.
Stenersen is the first favourite on the road. His time is okay but quickly beaten by...
...his team mate Korsaeth, which is kind of surprising. Huge ride by the later.
Those two are having the top spots for a long time. Then Laengen starts. Though he is slow at the beginning and needs to improve later on.
Haugard starts a lot better and takes the lead immediately.
Laengen recovered from his early slow down and is 2nd behind him now.
But in the finish Haugard has shown all his class. He takes the 2015 ITT NC 50s ahead of Laengen.
Havard Blikra
