Team LottoNL-jumbo rider Gijs van Hoecke was in the break of the day. “Gijs was in front with two other riders,” Sports Director Merijn Zeeman said. “Unfortunately, they did not gain much space over the bunch. Gijs did what he could today.” 

The hardest part of the stage that led from Stavanger to Sandes was the final. 

“It was a very difficult local lap, with a steep climb in it,” Zeeman said. “Paul Martens attacked with a group, but got caught just before the final time up that steep climb. Boasson Hagen was the strongest on that climb, but Timo was just behind him with a small group, rode a very strong last climb and got fourth.” 

The Tour des Fjords ends tomorrow with another tricky finale. “It is going to be an exciting day for the GC.”