The Womenโs WorldTour calendar has been dealt a blow as organisers of the Tour of Scandinavia announced the raceโs cancellation. In a statement released on the event’s website, it was confirmed that the race would not return in 2025, and its parent company, Ladies Tour of Norway AS, has been dissolved.
Organisers cited a lack of interest from sponsors, broadcasters, and the national federation in Norway as the primary reasons for the decision. โAfter last yearโs cancellation, hard work has been done since last summer to revive the WorldTour race,โ the statement read. โWe were well into the preparations with both the race concept, host municipalities, and not least international TV distribution, which looks very impressive and is in place. However, we must acknowledge that we have not succeeded in building a brand that is attractive enough to media, sponsors, and other important stakeholders in Norway.โ
The race has faced significant challenges in securing support from Norwegian broadcasters, such as NRK and TV2, even after the organisers offered to cover production costs. Without this national exposure, the event struggled to attract sponsors, leading to financial instability.
Reflecting on the raceโs legacy, organisers added: โWe have dared to be innovative and have been an important driver for the development of international womenโs cycling. We are proud of what we have created and happy to be remembered as one of the best and most recognised races on the womenโs WorldTour calendar.โ The statement went on to thank partners, host municipalities, volunteers, and the international cycling federation, UCI, for their support over the years.
The Tour of Scandinavia, which succeeded the Ladies Tour of Norway in 2022, was intended to showcase the best of womenโs cycling in the region. Annemiek van Vleuten won the final edition of the race in 2023, while Marianne Vos, Lucinda Brand, and Anna van der Breggen were among the notable winners of its predecessor. Vos secured victory on three separate occasions, underlining her dominance during the eventโs earlier years.
Race director Roy Moberg, whose daughter Emilie Moberg raced professionally for teams such as Drops-Le Col and Hitec Products, led the organisational efforts. The decision to cancel the race was reportedly finalised at an extraordinary general meeting held earlier this week.
While this marks the end of Scandinaviaโs premier womenโs stage race, a new chapter for womenโs cycling in Norway is set to begin. The men’s Tour of Norway will include a womenโs event for the first time in its 14-year history, with both races sharing the same courses from 31st May to 1st June 2025. Race director Roy Hegreberg described the addition as a significant development: โThis is a milestone for the Tour of Norway and a fantastic opportunity to promote womenโs sports. We are excited to see both women and men competing at the Tour of Norway 2025.โ
Though the cancellation of the Tour of Scandinavia represents a setback, the inclusion of a womenโs event in the Tour of Norway offers some hope for the future of cycling in the region.
Main photo credit: Getty