Tour of Norway cancelled after government cuts
Norway's national tour will not be on the pro calendar for 2026 after abrupt budget decisions by the government cut support for the event. "For 10 years, the public and private business sector, together with voluntary cycling clubs, has had a joint venture, which has made possible an international cycling race that has put Norway on the map," said Roy Hegreberg, General Manager of the Tour of Norway, in a release announcing the news. Hegreberg was openly critical of the move, saying it came as a "bolt from the blue" and without any dialogue or warning.
"After the government's surprising cuts, there is no financial basis to continue working on next year's event. The board of Fjords Cycling, which is behind the Tour of Norway, has therefore decided that work on the event will be stopped. Fjords Cycling is 100% owned by voluntary cycling clubs, and does not have capital or sufficient lifting capacity on its own." Hegreberg said that Fjords would explore options to bring the event back in 2027. The UCI 2.Pro-rated Tour of Norway was first run in 1983 and has run continuously since the 2011 edition. This year's race was won by Visma-Lease a Bike's Matthew Brennan.
