Hushovd beats Armstrong in Oslo Grand Prix

Thor Hushovd won the Oslo Grand Prix on Aug. 19, while fellow countrymen Alexander Kristoff and Kurt Asle Arvesen followed in 2nd and 3rd place. The American cycling legend Lance Armstrong ended up in 8th place. The race had as many as 60,000 spectators and was held in benefit of the Cancer Society.

Towards the final rounds Hushovd and Armstrong pulled away from the rest, but on the last leg the American stiffened up, and the Norwegian won comfortably.

Many of the spectators came to watch Armstrong, who was back in Oslo for the first time in 16 years. In 1993, in the beginning of his career, Armstrong won the World Championship in the Norwegian capital. He has since won Tour de France seven times, and is today considered to be the best cyclist in the world.

In 1996, at the age of 25, Armstrong was diagnosed with testicular cancer, which doctors later learned had metastasized to his brain and lungs. Today he is cancer free and tours the world in the fight against the disease.

On Aug. 20 Hushovd was named Ambassador of the Norwegian Cancer Society (NCS). This took place in front of 1400 people at an event at Folketeatret. Hushovd, who was very pleased with the support from the international stars and the large crowd, expressed he is open to make Oslo Grand Prix an annual event.

While in Oslo Armstrong visited the Institute for Cancer Research at the Radium Hospital. Before leaving Norway, he promised to be back soon. “16 years is too long, I will be back soon,” said the American champion. He also expressed that Oslo has a special place in his heart, since the win in 1993.

The event in Oslo was arranged by the Norwegian Cycling Federation (NCF), the Norwegian Cancer Society (NCS) and Oslo Cancer Cluster (OCC).

Source: NRK / Aftenposten / Norway Post