Howard rising star, Bennati takes command 1

February 17 ^th 2010 - 17:24

125 riders at the start; 16 teams
Perfect weather

After a transfer by plane from Muscat, the riders of the Tour of Oman took off from Ibri, just by its impressive stadium, for the 4th stage of the event. Immediately after the start, six riders took off: Novoa Menendez (CTT), Trussov (KAT), Smukulis (ALM), Van Groen (VAC), Lemoine (SAU) and King (TLS). The gap increased rapidly: from 1’30 at kilometre 10 to a maximum 6’55 at the first intermediate sprint (km 45.5) won by Trussov ahead of Smukulis and Lemoine. Heading down south-east through the magnificent mountain ranges of Oman, the pack led by Team Sky moved closer.

At the second intermediate sprint (km 121) claimed by Smukulis ahead of Trussov and Lemoine, the gap had dropped down to 2’40. Under the influence of a crosswind, the pack then broke up into two groups. Bad news for overall leader Edvald Boasson Hagen who was stuck at the back after stopping on the side of the road to answer a call of nature. The Team Sky riders did their best to try and bring their leader back to the front and close the gap on the front bunch.

Meanwhile the 6 leaders were finally caught at km 146 as 41 riders gathered at the front. Among the leading group were the likes of Cancellara (SAX), Boonen (QST), Eisel (THR), Farrar (GRM), Bennati (LIQ) and Burghardt (BMC). Their lead increased over the red jersey group: from 35” at km 146, to 50” with 25 kms to go and a further 1’05, ten kilometres from the finish. A real nightmare for young Boasson Hagen who was saw his hopes of overall success slowly fade away.

The front pack made it together to the city of Nakhal with a decent enough gap to start focusing on a bunch sprint. Against experienced sprinters like Boonen or Farrar, young Leigh Howard (THR) impressed as he captured his first success in Oman. Quite a performance for the Australian who managed to beat Bennati and Boonen to the line. The overall leader’s red jersey goes to stage 2 winner, Italy’s Daniele Bennati who now has a 6” lead over Farrar, while the former race leader, Boasson Hagen made it to the line with a 1’05 deficit. Tyler Farrar takes command of the points classification while the best young rider is now Smukulis (ALM). Once again in the day’s break, the Latvian leads the most aggressive rider standings.