His victory in the undulating last stage carried him to that placing, after he got the best of breakaway companion Russell Downing, who won the general classification.

[3] After a week of rumours, it was announced on 10 September 2009 that Nordhaug would be joining Team Sky from the 2010 season, along with fellow Norwegians Edvald Boasson Hagen and Kurt Asle Arvesen.

[5] He also rode a good Critérium International event in Corsica, finishing fourth overall behind a strong podium composed of Cadel Evans (BMC Racing Team), Pierrick Fédrigo (FDJ–BigMat) and his teammate Michael Rogers.

Nordhaug was well placed in the closing stages of the Amstel Gold Race but crashed out in the final 300 metres (980 ft) of the finishing climb, the Cauberg, after clashing wheels with Lampre–ISD's Damiano Cunego.

He took his biggest career victory to that point at the 2012 Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal, winning a sprint from a group of four riders after his solo attack was caught in the closing stages of the race.