Hermans clings to Arctic Race of Norway win on final stage

Ben Hermans (Israel Start-Up Nation) was just able to maintain a slim overnight lead to claim victory on the fourth and final stage of the Arctic Race of Norway.

Ben Hermans of Belgium and Team Israel Start-Up Nation Yellow Leader Jersey during the 8th Arctic Race Of Norway 2021. Source: Getty Images

Hermans' Israel Start Up-Nation team controlled the front of the race most of the day, but crucially didn't bring the breakaway to heel, which allowed Niki Terpstra and Philipp Walsleben (Alpecin-Fenix) to fight it out in the final metres for the win, with Walsleben taking victory.

Behind, it was a fight for the overall win, with Hermans coming into the stage with a scant four-second advantage on Odd Christian Eiking (Intermarché-Wanty Gobert Materiaux) coming into the final stage.

Eiking attacked up the final climb ahead of the finish line, but could only eke out a two-second lead on Hermans, with the Belgian rider clinging to the overall race win by just two seconds in the final calculation.

Hermans was initially unsure of overall victory, with memories of losing his overall lead at the race in 2016 on the final stage, but the 35-year-old could finally celebrate with his teammates on the podium this time.

"Sometimes you're the nail and today I was the hammer," Hermans said.

"It's a nice one to add to the list. It's one of the Pro Series races, it's the only WorldTour win I still miss. I'm really happy with this win. I didn't come here for anything less. I'm happy I could finish it off.

Hermans only had one scare throughout the final day of racing, when Eiking made his powerful late attack.

"It was really under control until we hit the finishing laps," said Hermans. "The first was still okay and it was all about positioning before the last climb. The team kept me in front and the guys did a perfect job controlling the race before, not pulling too hard and not closing the gap.

"We were lucky three guys from the break were still in front so I only had to match Lafay and Eiking in the final sprint. I got gapped by Eiking, I couldn't match his explosive attack actually. Luck was on my side and the time gap was only two seconds and not four."

"I still remember this disappointment of six years ago when I lost everything in the last stage but now finally we can celebrate a win."

Hermans turned 35 in June and his current contract with Israel Start-Up Nation ends this year but he wants to stay at the top level of competition.  

"All my career I've been at the same level from my first year pro until now," said Hermans. "If I'm 13 years on the same level I can continue. Of course I want to sign for two years and then we'll see."

Walsleben took out the final stage after countering a late attack from Terpstra, matching the Dutchman and passing him for just the second professional win of his road racing career, the German rider having announced his retirement from riding at the end of the season.

"It could be a very special victory because my plans were to stop pro cycling next year. I don't know if I will reconsider it," Walsleben said.

"It's still a lot of work that goes into this victory and a lot of suffering, so I don't know. Obviously, I'm still pretty good but I made a decision."

Fredrik Dversnes (Team Coop) won the mountains competition and won the iconic prize of 500kg of Norwegian salmon.