February 14/17 10:42 am - Tour of Oman: Stage 1

Posted by Editoress on 02/14/17
 

A year after his win at Naseem Park,  there was no stopping Alexander Kristoff. In an expected bunch sprint finish, the Norwegian beat Italians Sbaragli and Colbrelli to the line to capture his fifth stage success on the Tour of Oman. Unlike Tom Boonen who suffered a crash during the final sprint, it was a fine day for the Katusha squad that had worked hard to control the five escapees of the stage, before their sprinter delivered the goods on the final straight. Kristoff becomes the first leader of the 8th edition of the race and will wear the Red Jersey for tomorrow’s stage 2.

The sun came out just in time for the start of stage 1 as 143 riders gathered by the picturesque Sawadi Beach. On the menu: 176.5 kms of flat roads for a long loop before returning towards the coast and heading to Naseem Park, just west of Muscate. After only three kilometers, five men broke away from the pack: Warbasse (ABS), De Gendt (SVB), Marangoni (NIP), Fonzi (WIL) and Masson (WVA). Not too concerned by this early break, the pack took it easy and the gap grew to 3:30 at km 20.

At the first intermediate sprint (km 81.5) claimed by De Gendt ahead of Fonzi and Warbasse, the pack had moved closer, still remaining 2:25 adrift. The second bonus sprint (km 49) was again won by De Gendt ahead of Fonzi while the pack was 1:20 behind. Guaranteed to capture the most aggressive rider’s jersey at the end of the day, De Gendt decided to stop his effort at km 146. Fonzi also called it quits leaving three men in the lead with a 1:05 advantage and 25kms to go.

As the pack moved closer to the leaders, a crash occurred sending several riders to the ground including promising Frenchman Guillaume Martin (WGG). Thankfully they all managed to move back in the peloton. With 10kms to go, the front three only had a 10s advantage and were eventually caught minutes later. While all the big sprinting teams moved toward the front of the pack, stage contender Sonny Colbrelli (TBM) suffered a puncture. It took the Italian and his Bahrain-Merida team mates a big effort to move back in the pack for the final bunched sprint.

On the final long straight, drama occurred as Tom Boonen (QST) was sent to the ground, thankfuly not too badly hurt but bidding farewell to a possible win. Like a year ago at Naseem Park, finish of the 3rd day in 2016, there was no stopping Alexander Kristoff. Victorious of a stage at L’Etoile de Bessèges this season, the Norwegian captures a second success this season beating Kristian Sbaragli (DDD) and Colbrelli to the line.

Thanks to his fifth victory in Oman, Kristoff assumes the overall leader’s Red Jersey. He leads the GC with a 4s advantage over Sbaragli and 6s over Colbrelli, and also claims the points jersey. Despite being caught by the pack in the final moments of the day, Aimé De Gendt can be satisfied, not only with the Most Aggressive rider jersey, but also with the lead of the best young rider standings.

The two Canadian riders Alexander Cataford (UnitedHealthcare) finished 52nd in the same time as the winner, with
Hugo Houle (AG2R La Mondiale) finishing 142nd at 4:03 back

Results from Stage 1 in Oman