Trondheim-Oslo 2026 cancelled: Is the Styrkeprøven about to be cancelled?

According to the organisers of Trondheim-Oslo, the application was submitted in December 2025 and only rejected on 6 May. Shortly before this, the Norwegian Road Traffic Authority had drawn up a new assessment document for long-distance cycling races, dated 29 April, which served as the basis for the rejection. The organisers criticised both the procedure and the content of the report - especially as they had no opportunity to comment in advance. Did the authorities deliberately try to force the cancellation in this way?

"It would be irresponsible to wait any longer for a solution that we don't see coming," explained the organisers. The requirements have already steadily increased in recent years: higher police costs, more extensive security requirements than at comparable events and increased control and accompanying measures during the race have made it increasingly difficult to organise the event. All entry fees already paid will be refunded in full.

Styrkeproven fears for its existence

Trondheim-Oslo looks back on 59 years of history and is considered the centrepiece of Norwegian cycling. It is supported by six sports clubs and organised exclusively by volunteers. "We are proud of what Styrkeprøven has meant for Norwegian cycling and public health over 59 years," said the organisers in their press release. They will continue to fight for the preservation of the cycling marathon. Trondheim-Oslo has also been a flagship event internationally for decades - traditionally, many participants from Germany took part.

A newly created set of rules for an event that has run smoothly for decades - this has left the cycling scene shaking its head and foreboding bad things for the future. The organisers fear an end to the long cycling tradition: "We are volunteers and cannot work full-time to find solutions. The Norwegian Cycling Federation must take action here if it wants to hold the test of strength and other cycling events in the future," explains Thomas Svane Jacobsen from the organising club Rye SK to the Norwegian TV station NRK.

History Trondheim-Oslo

"Den Store Styrkeprøven Trondheim-Oslo" (The Great Trondheim-Oslo Test of Strength) is the full name of the cycle marathon, which starts in Trondheim and finishes in Oslo. It was first organised in 1967 with 121 participants. The fastest finishers reached the finish line after 16:38:28 hours at the premiere. In the following years, Trondheim-Oslo was organised every year and in 1979 the event attracted over 1,000 participants for the first time. Up to and including 2013, Oslo Cyklekrets was the organiser, while in 2014 Styrkeprøven was established as an independent company with eight sports clubs from Oslo and the surrounding area as shareholders. Styrkeprøven AS has also organised other cycling races in the region, such as Oslo - Mysen and Oslo - Lærdal. The route has been slightly modified in recent years to alleviate safety concerns from the authorities. Depending on the variant chosen, it was between 520 and 540 kilometres long and offered around 3600 metres of elevation gain. Shorter distances were also offered. At times, up to 9600 riders took part. In recent years, teams have ridden at the front in the style of a team time trial and crossed the finish line after around 13 to 14 hours.

Axel Fehlau and Trondheim-Oslo

The German Axel Fehlau is inextricably linked with the great test of strength. He tackled the route 32 times and crossed the finish line 30 times. In 2025, he declared his retirement from the legendary event. Over the 30 years, he had ridden from Trondheim to Oslo on a tandem, triplet, recumbent bike and, above all, in strong, tightly organised teams. He sometimes took over the organisation of his own teams for the start of Trondheim-Oslo. He and his team won the long-distance race in 2012 and 2015.