The stage was animated by a large leading group, including Team Jumbo-Visma’s Pascal Eenkhoorn. After the leading group was taken back, the peloton completely shattered on the hilly terrain around Narvik. Norwegian Markus Hoelgaard attacked in the final kilometres. Jansen countered on the final climb and came close to victory as he finished in Hoelgaard’s slipstream.

“It is disappointing that I couldn’t pass him on the line anymore”, Jansen said. “I maybe should have attacked a little earlier, but it was difficult to estimate what the right time was to attack with this difficult final. I felt really good all week and the team did an excellent job. With Pascal in the front group, it was an ideal situation for us. The difference between winning and finishing second was very little today. That’s unfortunate.”