The opening stage started in the city of Bergen, where Tom Dumoulin became world time trial champion in 2017. The 175-kilometre stage took the riders in rainy conditions to the finish in Voss. Remco Evenepoel won the stage.

Six escapees didn't manage to create a big gap and in the last ten kilometres the peloton reeled them in. Team Jumbo-Visma didn't constantly interfere in this battle, but positioned themselves well for the final in which Teunissen, Roosen and Van Hooydonck rode strongly.

Sports director Arthur van Dongen about the overture in the Scandinavian country: "I think we can be satisfied with this first stage. We showed ourselves in the final. Timo accelerated a few times on the climb and Nathan also tried. The result contains many riders who can ride uphill well and among those riders, Mike became eighth.

"We are not here to fight for the classification. With a view to stage three, where the finish is on a long col, that's not realistic", Van Dongen continued. "Many guys have come back to racing after a rest or training period. Everyone gets the chance to race freely. Hopefully that will lead to a nice stage win this week. In any case, we are satisfied with this start."