After two years of the pandemic, great excitement was attached to the team competition in The Great Test of Strength. Several strong teams lined up for the start in Trondheim, and for the fourth time in a row it was the Trønder Express that arrived first at Vallhall.

Trønderekspressen is a collaboration between cyclists in central Norway. Every year they want to gather the 30 best cyclists to start in Trondheim-Oslo in Styrkeprøven .

Team captain Per Johan Fenstad was excited ahead of the race, as this was the first time without a support car and with a slightly different route than before. Nevertheless, he admits that he did not feel anything special about the pressure as title defenders.

– We worked towards becoming more coordinated and efficient in rolling. If we had it in place, we knew it would be difficult to beat us, he says.

The recipe for success is kept secret

Many may wonder how it is possible to win The Great Test of Strength four times in a row, but which decisive qualities and tactics Trønderekspressen has, they are keeping to themselves for the time being.

– We are not going to reveal that, replies the captain slyly.

His tasks are to set the speed up and down as needed, and keep an eye on each of the others on the team. He must also ensure that everyone gets enough nutrition, which turned out to be a challenge along the way.

– In terms of weather, it was a challenge that everyone got wet and cold. That led to many having problems getting food and drink in, he says.

Fenstad is also responsible for motivating the group along the way, and ensuring that they have a minimum of 10 with them all the way to the finish line in Vallhall Arena.

– This year there were no accidents, so things will go by themselves, says the experienced cyclist.

– Continuous training and carpooling is a must

The people of Trønder are really starting to get good experience cycling Trondheim-Oslo during Styrkeprøven .

– What have you learned from previous years?

– That continuous training and co-driving is a must, says Fenstad, who also says that it meant “everything” to once again take the gold home to Trondheim.

– It shows that we have done the right things.

– Will we see you fighting for the gold again next year?

– YES, he concludes.