Arctic Race of Norway starts despite funding uncertainty

The Arctic Race of Norway begins on Thursday and will visit 11 municipalities in Troms and Nordland, NRK reports. The race is going ahead despite uncertainty over its funding.

Tom Høgli, managing director of the Arctic Race of Norway, said he was pleased the event could start after the situation looked uncertain at the end of last year.

When the government’s 2026 budget was presented, it included five million kroner less for the race than in previous years. Høgli then worked to secure additional funding, including two million kroner from the Norwegian Parliament. The remaining money came from the three northernmost county authorities and other supporters, according to Harstad Tidende.

Høgli hopes government support will return to previous levels next year. He said the race has maintained a good dialogue with the government, Parliament and politicians in Northern Norway about its importance to the region.

“We believe more in informing, explaining and presenting arguments. We do not want to come across as whiners in connection with this,” Høgli said. He added that the organisers respected that many worthwhile causes compete for funding in the national budget.

This year’s race will take place in Ofoten and Vesterålen, between the county borders of Nordland and Troms. The four stages are spread across northern Nordland and southern Troms.

A number of roads will be closed from Thursday through Sunday, mainly between 1pm and 6pm. The closures will include the E10, national road 85 and several county and municipal roads.

Veiåker Nilsen, section manager at the Northern Traffic Control Centre of the Norwegian Public Roads Administration, advised people to use the Vegvesen traffic app and activate notifications for their area.