The Arctic Race of Norway GC is a hilly stage race contested above the Arctic Circle, typically featuring punchy hilltop finishes that reward riders who combine climbing ability with sustained power over rolling terrain. The 2.Pro classification attracts a competitive but not WorldTour-dominated field, opening the door for ambitious Pro-continental squads. Euskaltel-Euskadi arrives with numerical strength and multiple viable GC options.
★★★★
Top Favorite
Xabier Berasategi is the unanimous pick at the top of the market. His Hills rating of 74 is the best in the startlist, and his 15.8 average finishing position over 9 hilly races — including 4 top-10s and a best of 5th — is comfortably ahead of every rival. Backed by a strong Euskaltel-Euskadi team, he enters as the race's clear GC favourite.
Euskaltel-Euskadi
Euskaltel-Euskadi
Xabier Berasategi leads the field with the highest Hills rating (74) and the best recent form among all starters, averaging 15.8 across 9 hilly-profile races with 4 top-10 finishes and a best result of 5th. The Euskaltel-Euskadi climber is the clear favorite for this Arctic Race GC.
★★★
Strong Contenders
Jon Agirre and Bert Bolle form a credible second tier. Agirre's Hills rating of 73 and 12 races of hilly experience (best: 7th) make him the most race-hardened challenger, while Bolle's 20.0 average and best result of 6th demonstrate genuine top-10 reliability. Either could take the race if Berasategi falters.
VolkerWessels
VolkerWessels
Bert Bolle posts the second-best recent form average (20.0) in hilly races with a best result of 6th, backed by a solid Hills rating of 68. His consistency across 6 similar-profile races makes him a reliable top-10 threat.
Euskaltel-Euskadi
Euskaltel-Euskadi
Jon Agirre brings a strong Hills score of 73 — joint second in the field — and has raced extensively in similar profiles (12 races), recording a best of 7th. His high volume of hilly-race experience gives him a tactical edge in this GC.
★★
Dark Horses
Gotzon Martín, Cedrik Christophersen, and Nikiforos Arvanitou each offer a distinct pathway to a surprise result. Martín provides Euskaltel with a second card to play, Christophersen's climbing numbers are genuinely elite for this field, and Arvanitou's podium in hilly races shows he can overperform his rating on the right day.
Unibet Rose
Unibet Rose
Cedrik Christophersen holds a Hills rating of 71 and a Climbing score of 70, the best climbing figure outside the Basque contingent. With only one comparable race on record he is difficult to assess, but his raw stats justify dark-horse consideration.
Euskaltel-Euskadi
Euskaltel-Euskadi
Gotzon Martín shares a 73 Hills rating with Agirre and offers the highest Climbing stat (69) among Euskaltel's trio, suggesting he can handle sustained ascents. His form average of 28.3 over 10 races is modest but consistent enough for a GC dark horse role.
United Shipping
United Shipping
Nikiforos Arvanitou has recorded a podium in hilly races and a best result of 3rd despite a modest Hills rating of 69, showing he can punch above his numbers. His average of 34.5 is dragged down by a small sample, and his upcoming schedule confirms full focus here.
★
Ones to Watch
Vincent Van Hemelen, Mathieu Kockelmann, Cole Kessler, and Tobias Nakken round out the selection as outsiders. Van Hemelen's high raw ratings contrast with poor recent form, Kockelmann could thrive in sprint-finish GC stages, Kessler is an unknown with solid numbers, and Nakken's history of punching above his stats keeps him relevant.
Modern Adventure
Modern Adventure
Cole Kessler holds a Hills rating of 70 and a TT score of 67, making him well-rounded for a GC format. With only one comparable race logged he is an unknown quantity, but his numbers suggest he could surprise.
Lotto Intermarché
Lotto Intermarché
Mathieu Kockelmann boasts the best Sprint stat (73) in the field, giving him an edge if any hilly stages come down to small-group finishes. His best result of 12th in similar races hints at occasional competitiveness despite a weak average.
Drali - Repsol
Drali - Repsol
Tobias Nakken has managed a podium and a best of 3rd in similar-profile races despite the lowest Hills rating (62) in this selection. His race smarts appear to exceed his raw stats, making him a long-shot worth watching.
Flanders - Baloise
Flanders - Baloise
Vincent Van Hemelen carries a 73 Hills rating and a strong TT score of 72, which could prove decisive on punchy GC days. His race form is poor (avg 54.1) but raw ability in this profile warrants a speculative pick.
Verdict
Xabier Berasategi is the standout favorite, combining the field's highest Hills rating with the strongest recent form in comparable races. Jon Agirre and Bert Bolle are the most credible challengers, while Gotzon Martín adds further danger for the Basque squad.