Lars Petter Nordhaug

Rider Profile

A founding member of the team, Lars Petter spent two seasons away from Team Sky before returning in 2015.

The Norwegian is a punchy and precocious climber, and his attacking style often sees him battling it out for victory at the business end of races.

Nordhaug started out as a mountain biker but made the switch to road racing in 2005 and had scooped a national title and several high-profile victories by the time Team Sky first snapped him up in 2010.

His career in black and blue got off to the perfect start by forming part of triumphant team time trial squad at the Tour of Qatar, and further successes came at the Trofeo Deia, Post Danmark Rundt and GP de Montreal before he made the switch to Belkin in 2013.

His time with the Dutch team saw him make his first Tour de France appearance and win a stage at the Arctic Race of Norway, and on his return to Team Sky he made history by becoming the first-ever winner of the Tour de Yorkshire.

Q&A

Who inspired you to start cycling?

I was a cross-country skier for 12 or 13 years and started cycling to keep fit in the summer. Around 1996 Rune Høydahl was pretty good at mountain biking and he also inspired me.

First bike:

A DBS mountain bike.

First club:

Tønsberg where I come from.

Previous teams:

2005-09 Maxbo Bianchi; 2010-12 Team Sky; 2013-14 Belkin

Childhood hero:

The cross-country skier Bjørn Dæhlie. He is one of the greatest Olympians ever.

What do you love most about cycling?

Riding with friends in the mountains, surrounded by nature. I also enjoy the training, and get the best out of myself.

What keeps you going when you’re on the limit?

You want to do well. You want to win the race, either for yourself or your team-mates. The desire to win.

What has cycling taught you?

Being a pro is an education you can’t get anywhere else. You learn a lot about yourself and about other cultures. You travel and learn how to systemise things.

Career highlight:

Winning the GP de Montreal in 2012.

If you weren’t a rider, what would you be?

Maybe a skier or an athlete. Away from sport, perhaps in the media?

Interests away from cycling:

I like to be with nature. Hiking and skiing. Reading. But mostly to hang out with friends and family.

Favourite film:

Gladiator. But I’d rather read a book.

Favourite music:

I listen to everything.

Funniest team-mate on Team Sky:

I’d say Bradley Wiggins.

Best friend in the peloton:

Edvald Boasson Hagen and Alexander Kristoff, and Gabba and Kurt in the car.

Favourite food:

Italian.

Most famous person you’ve met:

Secretary General of NATO – Jens Stoltenberg. He was also the Norwegian Prime Minister.

Most embarrassing moment:

Nothing that comes to mind thankfully.

Best advice:

Have patience. I turned pro quite late but here I am.

Career Highlights

2004

Nordic Cross-Country Mountain Bike Championships - 1st

2005

Norwegian U23 Road Race Championships - 1st

2006

Norwegian Road Race Championships - 1st

2007

Gjovik GP - 1st overall

2008

Norwegian Cross-Country Mountain Bike Championships - 1st; Festningsrittet - 1st overall, 1st points classification and two stage wins

2009

Tour of Ireland - 1st stage three; Tour de Normandie - 1st stage five

2011

Tonsberg Cyclo-Cross

2012

Trofeo Deia - 1st; GP de Montreal - 1st; Tour of Denmark - 1st stage three

2013

Arctic Race of Norway - 1st mountains classification; Norwegian Cyclo-Cross Championships - 1st

2014

Arctic Race of Norway - 1st stage one

2015

Tour de Yorkshire - 1st overall and one stage win