– This is just completely wild! That’s what Thor Hushovd, manager of Uno-X and cycling legend, says in TV 2’s broadcast. For Jonas Abrahamsen, he did not stop impressing on Sunday. The “Grenlandsplogen” immediately stuck in today’s breach. None of his competitors in the climbing competition were there, thus the climbing jersey was secured and the distance to the competitors increased. During the 199 kilometer long stage to Bologna, he also secured the lead in the points competition. Thus he suddenly led both the climbing and points competition. This cycling feat, to lead both the points and the climbing competition, has not been done by any Norwegian before. – It’s absolutely crazy. Jonas Abrahamsen is completely raw, adds Hushovd. It was an exciting battle for the points jersey. When Abrahamsen entered the TV pictures in second place, behind the winner Kévin Vauquelin, he also secured enough points to take the points jersey. – It’s completely wild. The wildest thing I’ve ever seen! He’s crazy, exclaimed an eager Dag Otto Lauritzen on TV 2. UNO-X CHIEF: Thor Hushovd during the presentation of this year’s Uno-X team for the Tour de France. Photo: Haakon Mosvold Larsen / NTB Fighting for the victory In the local rounds Abrahamsen fought for the victory, but over the last bend the Norwegian had to let go. Thus, the first Norwegian stage win in four years was missed. In 2020, Alexander Kristoff won the opening stage of the Tour de France. He took home one victory on the stage: Abrahamsen was named the stage’s most offensive rider. After Sunday’s stage, the nearest competitor in the climbing competition, Frenchman Valentin Madouas, is eleven points behind Abrahamsen. As it is now, “Grenlandsplogen” will keep the climbing jersey until Tuesday and the fourth Tour stage. STANDS FOR MIRACLES: It can almost look as if Jonas Abrahamsen can walk on water, here at least he divides the crowd on the local rounds in Bologna. Photo: THOMAS SAMSON / AFP Nerve-wrenching finish It was exciting all the way to the finish line with a view to the stage win. With around 50 kilometers remaining, the lead was just over nine minutes. One mile later, with 40 kilometers to go, the lead was just under five minutes. Four minutes had thus been eaten up in just one mile. – They must have slept during class. They have to get their legs in gear and pedal faster if they can bear it, says news’s commentator Ole Kristian Stoltenberg en route. – This is completely open, added Sondre Sørtveit who is news’s cycling expert. IN FOCUS: Many wanted to immortalize the moment with Jonas Abrahamsen in the climbing jersey (right) en route to Sunday’s second stage. Photo: THOMAS SAMSON / AFP The shock from the breakaway mates At the local rounds in Bologna, a 1.9 kilometer long climb up the Côte de San Luca at a bone-chilling 10.2 per cent awaited. Abrahamsen was unhooked on a number of occasions, but controlled his way up to the top twice and secured two new points at the top. With that, he was also up to 22 points. Behind breathed a fierce main field where the combined guns tested the bones of the barren kneike. With just under three miles to go, the main field was only 3.30 minutes behind. With two miles to go, the Norwegian decided to take matters into his own hands. Together with Nelson Oliveira and Kévin Vauquelin, they bumped from the remaining break before the final pass of the Côte de San Luca. – This is an absolutely perfect scenario, says news expert Sørtveit. On the last pass up the precipitous hill, Abrahamsen had to let go, and with that the dream of a stage victory also ended. French Kévin Vauquelin won Sunday’s stage. Published 30.06.2024, at 17.22 Updated 30.06.2024, at 17.23
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Jonas Abrahamsen is historic in Norwegian Tour de France history – owns two jerseys – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcast schedule
