AKA: The Bull from Grimstad; The Bear from Grimstad; The Viking; The God of Thunder; and The Rainbow Thunder.
Thor has a resume as thick as his oak thighs of thunder. We donʼt think there is a reason to argue for his destined victory on Sunday, but we do think his post victory prose does warrant debate. As versed connoisseurs of the good word of the God of Thunder, we predict he will express his happiness and boast of his strength. Enjoy thirteen years of Thor victory quotes and nickname themed headlines:
“BULL FROM GRIMSTAD DOMINATES HERD”
May 29, 2008 – U-23 Paris-Roubaix
Thor began his reign with a win at the 1998 U-23 Paris Roubaix, but had to put the bike down after.
“I pushed myself too hard, and I had to stop racing for six months so that my knees could recover.”
“BEAR MAULS TIME TRIAL”
Oct 6, 1998 – U23 World Championship Time Trial
Valkenburg aan de Geul, Netherlands
“It was a big surprise to take the title. I hoped for a medal but I considered victory impossible. As I am still only 20 I will wait at least a year before becoming a professional.”
“VIKING VICTORY IN CHICKEN TOWN”
July 26, 2002 – Tour de France, Stage 18
Pau to La Mongie
Thor went in an early break and attacked with 17km to go. got off the front with Jakob Pill and Christoph Mengin. Thor pipped Mengin in the sprint.
“It’s super! I don’t know why, but I’m finishing the Tour very well, so to win a stage is super.”
“VIKINGS INVADE BRITTANY: HUSHOVD WINS IN QUIMPER”
July 11, 2004 – Tour de France, Stage 8
Amiens to Chartres
Crossing the finish line in victory, Thor pounded his massive chest three times before raising his arms in victory.
“I like this weather. The rain, the wind, the cold…it reminds me of home. I was happy all day.”
“MIGHTY THOR HAMMERS KOPP AND PETACCHI”
April 5, 2006 – Gent-Wevelgem
“This is a big victory for me, my first classic.Winning green in the Tour de France is bigger. Still, winning a race like Gent-Wevelgem, a semi-classic, is big. I’m really happy.”
“THE BEAR TEARS THE TOUR APART”
July 1, 2006 – Tour de France, Prologue: Strasbourg
“I always gave everything I had, but in the beginning I wasn’t the fastest. I think I gained some time in the corners and in the end it proved to be enough. It was impossible for me to be asingle second faster. During the training rides of last week, I felt that the form was alright. Naturally, you can’t win a prologue in the Tour de France without a super form.”
“THUNDER GOD CRUSHES MCEWEN”
July 23, 2006 – Tour de France, Stage 20
Champs-Elysées
“With one kilometre to go, there was a hole in front of me; Sébastien Hinault closed it, then Julian Dean overtook everyone else until I took Robbie McEwen’s wheel. He [McEwen] opened the sprint but I was stronger than him today. I was just stronger than anybody else.”
“JOVIAL VIKING HAMMERS SPRINT”
July 11, 2007 – Tour de France, Stage 4
Villers-Cotterêts to Joigny
“This win is very good for me because I didn’t have a very good start to the season. I prepared the season to be good in the Classics, in Milano-Sanremo, the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix, but I fell sick the day before Milano-Sanremo and Ididn’t do well in the Classics. … Then I did the Giro. I was second twice there. It is great to win a stage because of that and I am very happy.”
“THOR THUNDERS TO SPRINT WIN”
July 6, 2008 -Tour de France, Stage 2
Auray to Saint Brieuc
“It was a really hard sprint, with the wind in the finale and in the climbs, but I knew it was a sprint that fits me well. My team-mates did a good job again, and especially Mark Renshaw. He was awesome until with 200 metres to go and then it was just up to me to do a sprint. Today everything worked out 100 percent.”
“GOD OF THUNDER REIGNS PAIN IN SPAIN”
July 9, 2009 – Tour de France, Stage 6
Gérone to Barcelone
“I get my head together to be strong. I just know that finishes like this one or the one last year fit me well – and if they are the only chances I have to win, then I have to take them.”
“COBBLES CANʼT SLOW THUNDER”
July 6, 2010 – Tour de France, Stage 3
Wanze to Arenberg Porte du Hainaut
“For me today was perfect; I was really motivated to ride well. I like the cobbles and obviously Paris-Roubaix and it was a meaningful day for me. I had this stage in mind for a long time and I’m really happy to get the win, really happy for the win…”
“THOR ROARS TO WORLDS VICTORY”
Oct 3, 2010 – UCI World Championship Road Race
Geelong, Australia
“It’s hard to understand that I’ve won the Worlds. It’s a dream. I’m speechless. There’s still one goal and that’s Paris-Roubaix.
But for now I will enjoy everything and try to enjoy every day of this winter. I had this chance and maybe it will never happen again.
“HAMMER DOWN”
July 15, 2011 – Tour de France, Stage 13
Pau to Lourdes
“It’s the craziest thing I’ve ever done. I was happy to be in the break. I was obviously strong. I went on the attack on the Aubisque so that I could ride at my own pace. My goal was to come back on the descent, which I finally managed to do. It’s incredible how quickly things have turned for me. Yesterday and the few days before I was feeling tired, but I did the right thing yesterday by taking it easy and losing quite a lot of time. I think that saved my legs and that’s why I won today.”
“THOR SMASHES BREAKAWAY”
July 19, 2011 – Tour de France, Stage 16
Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux to Gap
“It’s unreal. It started well with the team time trial and seven days in the yellow jersey, then I won the stage alone and now
I’ve won the stage today against my countryman and with my teammate Hesjedal behind me”
By Mike Jividen