Gesink and Rabobank triumph in Oman 1

February 20 ^th 2011 - 14:52

The picturesque city of Qurayyat, by the sea, welcomed the riders for the start of the final stage: a 157kms ride all the way to Muscat, including 8 laps of a final circuit on the Mattrah Seafront.

The 124 remaining riders took off just after noon and rapidly had to face a tough 4km climb at close to 6%. Immediately after the start, five men took off: Cassidy (SKT); the first to attack, Ratto (GEO), Burghardt (BMC), Krivstov (LAM) and Serry (TSV). After 5kms, the front men could count on a 1’45 lead, just before heading up the hill.

The five remained together all the way to the top while the pack broke up into several groups, with riders like Theo Bos (RAB) and Taylor Phinney (BMC) dropped behind. But the pack bunched up again shortly after the top.

At the first intermediate sprint (km 31), claimed by Ratto ahead of Serry and Krivstov, the gap had reached a maximum 4’05. As the Rabobank, HTC-Highroad and Farnese riders moved to the front of the main field, the gap started dropping.

At the first passage on the line of the final 7km circuit, the leaders still had a 2’45 advantage. The second bonus sprint at the third passage on the line (km 115) was again won by Ratto ahead of Serry and Krivstov, while the pack remained 2’10 adrift. The chase carried on, and the gap continued dropping. With two laps to go, the front five only had a 38” lead and were finally caught at km 151, in the final lap. With four kilometres to go, a crash shook the pack and Greg Van Avermaet (BMC), tenth overall hit the ground with several other riders.

On the final straight, for a last bunched sprint, Mark Cavendish (THR), well helped out by team mate Matthew Goss, powered to the line and captured his first stage victory this season. The HTC-Highroad sprinter beat Galimzyanov (KAT) and Guardini (FAR) to the line.  

Finishing in the main pack, Robert Gesink (RAB) kept good control of his overall leader’s Red Jersey, winning this second edition of the Tour of Oman. In the final general classification, the Dutchman has a 1’13 lead over Hagen (SKY) and 1’19 over Visconti (FAR). Gesink also wins the White Jersey for the best young rider. The Green Jersey for points, goes to Edvald Boasson Hagen while Marko Kump (GEO) wins the most aggressive rider’s jersey.

Robert Gesink: “A great feeling”

“I just came here to try and do my best during two days, the mountain stage and the time-trial and I won both of them. Today I secured the overall lead so it’s a great feeling. It’s a perfect start to my season. First race, first victory, I’m really happy. Today was pretty tense. You never know what can happen. With four kilometres to go, there was a fall in the pack and I was lucky enough not to be involved in it. I had asked several guys to stay with me today to help me. It’s a great feeling to win here in Oman.”

Mark Cavendish (THR): “Great to win so early in the season”

“It’s always great to win a stage. And the team did a great job. Matthew Goss took me through the difficult sprint and I delivered. I’ve only been racing for 19 days and it’s great to win so early. It’s normally not in my standard. But my goal isn’t to win races now. I have to be at my best for the Tour de France and win there and carry on carrying my form all the way to the World championships in October.”