It was the third edition of the Arctic Race of Norway and is rated as a 2.HC event as part of the UCI Europe Tour.

[1] The race was won by Rein Taaramäe (Astana) on the final stage, ahead of Silvan Dillier (BMC Racing Team) and Ilnur Zakarin (Team Katusha), after the three riders broke away from the pack on the finishing circuit.

This stage was expected to favour the climbers, such as Rein Taaramäe (Astana), Louis Meintjes (MTN–Qhubeka) and Ilnur Zakarin (Team Katusha), who were therefore the favourites for the overall victory.

Two of the prominent sprinters in the race were the Norwegians Alexander Kristoff (Team Katusha) and Edvald Boasson Hagen (MTN–Qhubeka).

Other sprinters present included Sam Bennett (Bora–Argon 18), Bryan Coquard (Team Europcar) and Niccolò Bonifazio and Davide Cimolai (both Lampre–Merida).