Edvald Boasson Hagen
A powerhouse Norwegian cyclist whose explosive sprint and time-trialing strength made him one of the most versatile riders of his generation.
Born 1987 (age 39)·Norwegian road racing cyclist·Birthday: May 17·Millennials
Biography
Edvald Boasson Hagen emerged from the small town of Lillehammer as a quiet force in professional cycling, a rider who could win almost any type of race. Nicknamed 'The Boass' by fans, his career was defined by a rare duality: he could unleash a devastating sprint to win a classic like Ghent-Wevelgem and then dominate the individual time trial at the Norwegian national championships, a title he won ten times. He spent his prime years with the British Team Sky, serving as a crucial lieutenant for Bradley Wiggins and Chris Froome in their Tour de France victories while still snatching prestigious stage wins for himself. His consistency and modesty made him a cornerstone of every team he rode for, and his retirement in 2024 closed the book on a remarkably steady and successful era for Norwegian cycling.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Edvald was born in 1987, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Edvald Was Born
The biggest hits of 1987
#1 Movie
Three Men and a Baby
Best Picture
The Last Emperor
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Edvald's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1987Born
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1992Started school
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
2000Became a teenager
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Could drive
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2005Could vote
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2008Turned 21
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2017Turned 30
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2026Age 39 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won two stages of the Tour de France (2011 and 2017).
- Secured ten Norwegian National Time Trial Championships titles across his career.
- Victorious in one-day classics like Ghent-Wevelgem (2015) and the GP Ouest-France (2012).
- Achieved a career-high world ranking of No. 3 in 2009 at just 22 years old.
Did You Know?
He is an avid cross-country skier and often uses it for winter training.
He won a stage of the Tour de France on Norway's national day, July 17, in 2011.
He was known for his extremely low-key and media-shy personality, letting his legs do the talking.
He rode for the same professional team, initially Team Sky and later its iterations, from 2010 until 2020.
“I prefer to let my legs do the talking, not my mouth.”
