One week after winning the Vuelta a Burgos, Rein Taaramae (Astana) continued his run of success when he benefited from bad luck for race leader Ben Hermans to take the win of the Arctic Race of Norway with a strong ride in the final stage.

“I was surprised to drop Ben Hermans so easily," he said, apparenly unaware of Hermans' mechanical. "We didn’t even attack in the climb. The pace was not really high.

"I liked the course of the final circuit. There was almost no flat part, so I rode away because I thought the peloton wasn’t going to be able to catch us.

"It’s a fantastic feeling to win the Arctic Race of Norway, firstly because it’s wonderful to win two stage races in two weeks, this one after the Tour of Burgos. It’s amazing. Yesterday I was pretty disappointed in the evening but it’s the complete opposite feeling now.

"We’ve had a very nice podium presentation by very nice people here in northern Norway. I feel like at home. The atmosphere is so different than in the other countries where we normally race, France, Spain, etc. I really want to come back here one day.

"It’s an important win in my career. That’s the kind of targets I’m looking for as a pro bike rider. I’m delighted with the Arctic Race of Norway on my palmarès.”