Niveauer

Niveauer
Location	Scovern
Dates	July–August
Discipline	Road stage race
Website	niveauer.sk

The Niveauer (Estmerish: "levels" or "stages"), currently known as the EIOL Niveauer for sponsorship reasons, is a road cycling stage race in Scovern that takes place during the summer. First held in 1936, the Niveauer is considered one of cycling's Great Tours.

The race is known particularly for its various uphill stages and mountain climbs. The format changes slightly each year, including sometimes beginning in other countries, but typically features stages around Scovern's four largest mountains: Karranæjumnán, Mallasbjerg, Elnansbjerg and Torsetsbjerg, as well as a final flat stage between Kalstad and Rimso. The leader of the Niveauer's general classification (the least average points across all stages) takes home the prestigious red jersey (Mescon: Rød trøje), while other individual classifications receive other prizes, including in sprints and mountain climbing stages.

The Niveauer typically has around 20 stages spread out over roughly one month, making it cycling's longest stage race. The most recent Niveauer was won by Scovernois cyclist Nils Tore Espeseth competing for Montecaran team Bergamin-Eùclea–Il Doxe.

Route

Map of the Niveauer's domestic stages.

Countries may bid to host the start of the Niveauer. This is usually the first two to four stages, after which competitors begin the domestic course which begins in the city of Tonder. The first six stages are mountain climbs, with the exception of stage two (Hvammstangi–Keta) and five (Brettasfjörður–Mosfell). Afterwards are two downhill stages which pass through Sirnes-Tarberg and Helganes, before a three day break and the tour's resumption on the longest leg between Junkerdal and Lagerup, which is roughly 350 km (217 mi) but mostly downhill. It then hugs the coast passing Asmindrup en route to the Flosedalen on stages ten and eleven before the hilly stage twelve (Linå–Evenesdal) and mountain climb on stage thirteen up to Torsetsbjerg. Stage fourteen is more fast-paced between Riddarset and Nordfolden, before another two day break and the beginning of the final stretch along the Vestelian coast. This last leg of the race is extremely flat and is known for causing massive altercations to the general classification. The final stage is completely flat between the cities of Kalstad and Rimso, where cyclists finish on the intersection of Gælisksgade and Vesteliensgade.

2022 Niveauer

Final general classification (1–10)

Rank	Rider	Team	Time
1	Nils Tore Espeseth	Bergamin-Eùclea–Il Doxe	96h 43' 19"
2	Gabe Klevar		+ 8' 22"
3	Nikiforas Sunkuyuqas		+ 14' 11"
4	Amin Haghshenas		+ 15' 00"
5	Nikos Gastric-Gervanopoulos	Sarkiades Euclea	+ 16' 29"
6			+ 16' 47"
7			+ 16' 58"
8			+ 18' 05"
9			+ 18' 40"
10			+ 20' 46"

List of countries by Niveauers won

Rank	Country	Number of wins	Last win
1	Scovern	22	2022
14	Soravia	3	1994