Tom Pidcock returns to the road in the Artic Race of Norway

One of the most peculiar tests on the calendar, such as the Artic Race of Norway, will serve as a litmus test for Tom Pidcock, who faces an intense end to the season. A race to regain sensations on the road bike before facing the Vuelta a España, and considering the average level of the participants, it is not unlikely that we will see the British rider emerge victorious once again, just like at the beginning of the season in the AlUla Tour.

Tom Pidcock the top favorite for victory in the Artic Race of Norway

The Artic Race of Norway is a stage race of category 2.Pro, the second tier of cycling events, organized by ASO, the same company in charge of the Tour de France. This year's race will take place between Thursday, August 7 and Sunday, August 10.

A race that, due to its coincidence with the Vuelta a Burgos, the main choice in the preparation for those who participate in the Vuelta a España, and its somewhat exotic location in northern Norway, has not managed to become one of the favorite events for the main cyclists in the peloton, despite its spectacular nature in the 11 editions held so far.

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However, the presence of Tom Pidcock will surely attract more attention to this race. Pidcock returns to road cycling after a month dedicated to mountain biking in June, where he has excelled with victories in the XCO World Cup held in Andorra and the European Championship in the discipline.

Now it's time for the Vuelta a España, and to regain the competitive rhythm required for road cycling, the British rider has chosen the Artic Race of Norway, which with its sinuous classic-style route and not excessive duration, is the perfect test leading up to the Spanish race.

Looking at the list of participants, few seem to be able to challenge a rider of Tom Pidcock's caliber. Names like Christian Scaroni, Corbin Strong, or Clément Champoussin are mentioned as main rivals, but none of them seem to have the level that Tom Pidcock is presumed to have.

Route of the Artic Race of Norway

The Artic Race of Norway consists of just 4 stages, all marked by coastal routes with constant ups and downs, giving the stages a medium mountain profile to tackle the continuous ascents and descents from the coast to the plateaus rising above the characteristic fjords of this Nordic country.

Special attention to the second stage, which ends with three laps of a 13.6 km circuit that the cyclists will have to complete three times, featuring a dirt section that will add excitement to the end of the stage.

The third stage has a uphill finish, 3.7 km at 7.8% average gradient, which will likely be the decisive point for the general classification of the race. For the final stage, there will be a circuit around the city of Tromso that the cyclists will have to complete 8 laps, with a climb of over a kilometer at 7.5% average gradient, in line with the challenging stages of this Artic Race of Norway.

Where to watch the Artic Race of Norway 2025

Despite being a spectacular race with incredibly scenic routes and challenging terrains that lead to a race with constant alternatives and movements, the options to watch it live on television are very limited.

It can only be seen on Eurosport, but not on its conventional channels, only through the sports offer of the HBO Max platform, which will broadcast the stage between 16:15 and 18:15 from Thursday, August 7 to Sunday, August 10.