Team LottoNL-Jumbo rider Moreno Hofland placed fourth in the final stage of the Arctic Race of Norway today. The German John Degenkolb (Giant-Alpecin) won the stage and the Italian Gianni Moscon (Team Sky) held on to the overall classification. Hofland’s place marked the third time in the race the team placed in the top 10. In addition, Tom Van Asbroeck took the mountains jersey.

Today’s fourth stage, 193 kilometres, travelled from Arctic Circle to Bodo. Several tried to escape, the last breakaway of six riders lasted until two kilometres remaining. Degenkolb battled for the sprint with Norwegian Kristoff (Katusha). Behind, Hofland crossed the line in fourth.

"I saw a nice race today," Sports Director Frans Maassen said. “So much happened today. On the first hill, team BMC drove the peloton into pieces and left only a small group. Sep Vanmarcke and Tom van Asbroeck were in there, and Van Asbroeck took the points for the mountain jersey. We put in a lot of energy, so it's nice that it succeed.

"Soon became clear that it was going to be a bunch sprint. In the last kilometre, we were just too far behind as a team but quickly corrected. Hofland rode a good sprint. It is unfortunate that everything didn’t fall into place for him, but his sprint was OK."

Van Asbroeck managed to defend his mountain jersey successfully. He made the first group to take points and the final escape gobbled up the rest, ensuring he kept his top.

Not only the jersey, but Van Asbroeck takes home a year's supply of Norwegian Salmon.

"We are satisfied with the Arctic Race of Norway. In yesterday's stage, we did not have the right rider with us in the race, but we still showed ourselves at the front in that and the rest of the stages. Two fourth places, one third place and the mountains jersey is a good result.

“Vanmarcke also ensured that Van Asbroeck could take the mountain points and in the final, he did everything possible to put Hofland in position. For me, Vanmarcke stands out.”