Earlier in the month, it became known that escort cars in Styrkeprøven have been banned. Team Foss cyclist Hans-Jørgen Engen (55) looks positively at the new solutions, which he believes will provide equal conditions and higher traffic safety.

By: Amalie Mogstad

A few years ago, there was a general ban on escort cars in Styrkeprøven , but this ban was never enforced strictly enough. This year, they have therefore chosen to collaborate with the Police and the road authorities to introduce further measures.

For Hans-Jørgen Engen, who has taken part in Styrkeprøven every year since 2006, this is an understandable and necessary move.

– There are many people to take into account. I think they are doing the right thing in trying to take into account the vast majority of people, and not just those who want to lie on the ground to meet a time target, he says.

Safety first

The most important reason for the ban is traffic safety. A well-known challenge for experienced cyclists.

– You have experienced situations where people take the chance to drive past. Where oncoming traffic has had to slow down, and situations can quickly arise, he says. Safety is most important, and we don’t have a cyclist to lose!

At the same time, he can understand that some will have immediate reactions to the new ban. Especially in groups that want to drive fast and set records.

– I understand that they want their own arrangement. But when you have to take safety into account, so that you are actually allowed to organize in the future, then I think it is absolutely right that they draw a line, and that it is the same for everyone.

One of the new measures is that 15 minutes will be deducted from everyone’s time, so that any time spent at the food stations will not be a disadvantage compared to before. This will also contribute to peace and order at the food stations, which will take place in Oppdal, Kvam and Hamar.

Like for everyone

Engen himself has taken part in many races without a companion car, and believes that it is all unproblematic, as long as you are good at adapting. In addition, it means that the riders present more equal conditions than ever before.

– There are some of the teams that perhaps have even more professional plans than just having support cars, so in that sense it will be the same for everyone now, says the Team Foss cyclist, who is looking forward to lining up on the start line again.

What are you most looking forward to with Styrkeprøven this year?

– It’s cycling together with those you train with several times a week, and feeling the community that Styrkeprøven is. To have a great ride, and to see all those who reach the finish line and are proud to have completed one of the distances. It’s road cycling for me, he says and finishes with a smile