Casper sprints into the history books

February 14 ^th 2010 - 18:44

126 riders at the start; 16 teams
Perfect weather

Thousands of spectators had gathered to the Muscat Corniche to welcome the 126 riders of the first edition of the Tour of Oman. After a very festive opening ceremony, the pack took off in night conditions for 16 laps of 4 kilometres on the Corniche. After a neutralised first lap, three riders broke away from the pack: Cretskens (OLO), Novoa Menedez (CTT) and Coutouly (SAU). Three laps later they were joined by Reimer (CTT), Wrolich (MRM) and Ballan (BMC).

The first intermediate sprint at the 6th passage on the line (km 23) was claimed by Ballan ahead of Wrolich and Reimer while the pack remained 40” adrift. The leading six were finally caught during the 9th lap. A few kilometres later, four riders took off: Pinotti (THR), Hunter (GRM), Eskov (KAT) and Westra (VAC).

They reached the second intermediate sprint (11th passage, km 42) won by Pinotti ahead of Westra and Eskov with a 20” lead over the pack. The leaders were eventually caught with just over two laps to go. The pack then remained together all the way to the finish line, led by the sprinters’ teams. Positioned on the left hand side of the road, Jimmy Casper flew to the line, claiming the first stage of the event. The Frenchman beat Boasson Hagen (SKY) and De Haes (OLO) to the line. Casper therefore becomes the first overall leader of the race and will be carrying the red jersey on his shoulders for tomorrow’s stage 2. The green jersey for the points classification also goes to Casper while the white jersey for the best young riders is claimed by Boasson Hagen.