Styrkeprøven


Styrkeprøven, also called Den Store Styrkeprøven, is a long bicycle cyclosportive which starts in Trondheim and finishes in Oslo, Norway. It was first held in 1967, initiated by Erik Gjems-Onstad and has taken place since then in late June every year.
In 2012 the record time was 12.51,02.

Another race on part of the route of Styrkeprøven

Den Lille Styrkeprøven, which is, from Lillehammer to Oslo, is also held at same time.

1997 recumbent ban controversy

In 1997, Bram Moens from Netherlands rode his faired recumbent in the race, finishing at 13:46:08 - almost 2 hours ahead of the second rider, and setting a new course record. Bram Moens and his bike was cleared by the organizers to start, and recumbents had taken part many times before. Despite this, the record was not accepted by the organizers, and recumbent bicycles banned; both actions without claiming any rider misbehaviour.