Stage 1 of the 2026 Arctic Race of Norway runs 181.9 km from Evenes to Myre over a flat profile, setting the scene for a mass bunch sprint finish. Held on Norwegian roads in August, the stage offers little selective terrain, meaning team lead-out trains and pure sprinting power will decide the outcome. This 2.Pro stage race attracts a quality field with several confirmed fast finishers keen to take the opening stage.
★★★★
Top Favorite
Jason Tesson stands out as the clear favorite with a Sprint score of 75, a podium and three top-10s in four recent sprint-profile races, and an average finishing position of 10.2 — by far the best combination of form and ability in the field. TotalEnergies has the squad depth to set up a proper lead-out for him on this flat stage.
TotalEnergies
TotalEnergies
Jason Tesson leads the field in recent sprint-profile form with an average position of 10.2 across 4 races, including a podium finish and 3 top-10s. His Sprint stat of 75 is among the highest in the field, making him the clear favorite for a bunch sprint finish.
★★★
Strong Contenders
Casper van Uden and Erlend Blikra are the two riders who can match or beat Tesson on raw Sprint stat alone, sitting at 77 and 76 respectively. Both are Epic-rated and confirmed starters, though neither has shown consistent recent sprint-profile form — their ceiling is very high but execution must be cleaner.
Picnic PostNL
Picnic PostNL
Casper van Uden holds the top Sprint stat in the field at 77 and has the Epic rarity card to match, though his recent sprint-profile form (avg 44.2) is inconsistent. On a flat stage like this, his raw speed makes him a genuine threat in the finale.
Uno-X Mobility
Uno-X Mobility
Erlend Blikra brings a strong Sprint score of 76 and will benefit from home-crowd motivation racing in Norway. He is confirmed for both this race and La Vuelta, suggesting a well-prepared block of racing form.
★★
Dark Horses
Giovanni Lonardi brings race-hardened sprint experience with six recent comparable starts including a podium, while Ethan Vernon's all-round profile at Sprint 76 makes him dangerous in any scenario. Ward Vanhoof's average finishing position of 8.0 in his only recent sprint-profile race is too good to ignore despite a lower Sprint score of 70.
NSN Cycling
NSN Cycling
Ethan Vernon matches Blikra's Sprint score of 76 and boasts an impressive all-round profile with a TT of 72 and Hills of 71, making him dangerous if the stage doesn't come down to a pure bunch sprint. Confirmed starter with Epic rarity.
Polti
Polti
Giovanni Lonardi has a Sprint stat of 75 and the most sprint-profile racing experience in the recent form table (6 races), including a podium and 3 top-10s despite a modest average of 26.2. His volume of results at this profile gives him a realistic shot at the top.
Flanders - Baloise
Flanders - Baloise
Ward Vanhoof leads all riders in recent sprint-profile form with an average position of 8.0 from his only comparable recent race, showing sharp condition. His Sprint of 70 is lower than the top sprinters but his form warrants serious consideration.
★
Ones to Watch
Lionel Taminiaux, Mirco Maestri, Emils Liepins, and Mathieu Kockelmann all carry Sprint stats of 73 and represent realistic outsider options if the race breaks up or the lead-out trains misfire. Each has shown flashes of form in comparable races, with Maestri's best finish of 2nd demonstrating genuine podium potential on a good day.
Pinarello-Q36.5
Pinarello-Q36.5
Emils Liepins posts a Sprint of 73 with solid Cobbles (71) and Hills (69), and has raced frequently in sprint-profile events (5 races) in recent form. His results have been middling but he has the stats to sneak into a top finish.
Lotto Intermarché
Lotto Intermarché
Lionel Taminiaux has a Sprint stat of 73 and solid Cobbles and Hills scores of 72 and 71 respectively, giving him options if the stage doesn't come down cleanly. He is confirmed for this race and could benefit from a disrupted sprint.
Lotto Intermarché
Lotto Intermarché
Mathieu Kockelmann is confirmed for this race and has a Sprint of 73 with a decent TT of 69, providing versatility. His 5 recent sprint-profile races show developing consistency that could pay off on this flat Norwegian stage.
Polti
Polti
Mirco Maestri has a Sprint of 73 and the most races in the form data (8), including a podium and a best finish of 2nd, though his average of 38.0 is inconsistent. On the right day he can challenge in a chaotic bunch finish.
Verdict
Jason Tesson is the top favorite thanks to the best recent sprint-profile form in the field combined with a Sprint stat of 75, with Casper van Uden and Erlend Blikra as the most dangerous challengers on raw speed alone.