'Life isn't always 100% fair' - Tour of Norway ambassador Kristoff reflects on race's cancellation for 2026

Alexander Kristoff, fresh from retirement and newly appointed as ambassador for the Tour of Norway, has shared his disappointment following the race's cancellation last month for the 2026 season due to unexpected Norwegian government funding cuts.

The announcement came on December 8, 2025, from organisers Fjords Cycling, just after the national budget was finalised. The government withdrew a special contribution that had funded roughly half the event's budget, meaning that holding the race was financially unfeasible.

Kristoff, who won the general classification in 2019 and holds the record for most stage wins with 11, described the race as one beloved by fellow professionals and shared his disappointment with its cancellation in 2026, particularly due to his planned involvement.

"It's a really nice race... many of the pros like to come back year after year," said Kristoff on the Domestique Hotseat.  "There's nice scenery, good hotels and good food." He lamented the personal impact in his role as ambassador, stating it would have been "a great opportunity to catch up with old colleagues and friends in the cycling world," but "we will try again in the future."

The 38-year-old highlighted an unfairness in the funding allocation, as the Arctic Race of Norway in the north of the country retains dedicated national support for regional development. 

"We’re doing more or less the same thing: broadcasting beautiful pictures, making a bike race in Norway, but they get the funding we are asking for, but we don't," said Kristoff. "But that’s life. Life isn’t always 100% fair, you know? That’s what I tell my kids."

Despite the disappointment, Kristoff underscored cycling's popularity in Norway, noting, "Cycling is quite big. We have a lot of people using bikes all the time. Also, racing is decent, but in general, everybody is biking to work or everywhere. For sure, it is a big part of people's lives."

Kristoff did note shifts in sporting interests with the competition of other sports, but remained optimistic about cycling’s future popularity in Norway despite the race’s cancellation.

"Cycling was a bit bigger actually in Norway a few years ago. Now, when we have the Ingebrigtsens brothers running so fast, running has really peaked up here in Norway... But I feel it's shifting a bit; I think the interest [in cycling] is also peaking back up. Last year, you saw more Norwegians on the Tour of France. I think interest is coming back up. So then it's a pity we cannot manage to arrange a Tour of Norway."

Event Director Roy Hegreberg explained previously to Domestique about the situation regarding the race’s cancellation, "We quickly realised there was no room to hold a pro race in 2026." He was surprised by the decision, noting, "Politicians mentioned this contribution was special and not commonly annual."

Despite the setback, Hegreberg is determined for the Tour of Norway to make a comeback in 2027.  "We'll use 2026 to build a solid foundation for 2027. I’m meeting with politicians who recognise the poor decision. I'm convinced we'll bring back the Tour of Norway, and even better."

Watch the full Domestique Hotseat episode with Alexander Kristoff 👇