Cycling-Norway’s Thor Hushovd, nicknamed “The God of Thunder“, won the road world championship in Australia today; powered away on the final bunch uphill sprint to edge out Denmark’s Matti Breschel and Australian Allan Davis who came third.
Thor is one of the world’s top sprinters, having tasted green jersey success for the points classification at the Tour de France. He is also a one-day classics specialist known for his ability to climb and finish well on uphill sprints.
Today he waited until the final 150 meters of the 750-meter home straight before unleashing a powerful sprint (Foto: Brandon Malone, Reuters/Scanpix).
This years world championship was actually threatened to be overshadowed by news of positive doping tests in Europe, most notably recent revelation that three-time Tour de France winner Alberto Contador has been provisionally suspended after testing positive for the banned stimulant clenbuterol during this year’s Tour. Thor’s comment was: “It’s sad for cycling, but it’s good that anti-doping still works,”
Running a blog about Norway and the Nordic countries; our culture, tradition and history, I seldom write about sports. This is however a historical sports triumph (since first time!) for Cycling-Norway and a Danish came second as well you know (the best Swede Jonas Ljungblad, was # 27). My regular readers might recall that I also made a post when The God of Thunder won the green jersey for overall points classification on the Tour de France. It was in 2006 and you are welcome to click and read my enthusiasm at that time too
:-)
I am so pleased for Thor. He is one of my favorites. As you know I watched the Tour de France live for 3 weeks. I had not heard about Alberto Contador. That is so sad. I hope they made a mistake, it is easy with lab work.
Thor is a great athlete and deserves to win. He works hard. Bravo!
I’m glad drug control is getting tighter, unfortunately, the last few Tours de France were plagued by these “fake heroes”.
Anyway, way to go Norway!
This is such a great story. I so enjoy watching Thor in the Tour de France and my husband will always cheer for a Norwegian :)