Froome conquers second Oman crown
February 23 rd 2014 - 15:18
As the 141 riders gathered at the start of the final stage of the Tour of Oman, Red Jersey Christopher Froome (SKY) could enjoy a comfortable 26” lead over his closest rival Teejay Van Garderen (BMC). That indeed looked enough to retain his crown in Oman. But there was still a stage to ride: 146.5kms from As Sifah to the Matrah Corniche, and potential danger on the final circuit of the race.
The stage started at a flying pace. On the mountainous first part, endless attacks occurred but the pack never let the escapees take off. Eventually at km 17, a group of 5 men managed to make the difference including Gavazzi (AST), Van Avermaet (BMC), Terpstra (OPQ), Ligthart (LTB) and Roche (TCS). These men reached the top of the first climb of the day (Al Jissah, km 29), led by Ligthart, with a 1'35 advantage over the pack. But after growing to 2' at km 37, that gap started dropping down as the pack moved closer to the first intermediate sprint. Indeed, while four of the five men were caught, Terpstra carried on alone and claimed the sprint with a 10” lead over the pack led by Van Hecke (TSV) and Kuchynski (KAT).
Nine men managed to power away from the pack at km 60, catching Terpstra and pulling away from the pack on the climb up Bousher Alamrat. In this front group were the likes of Agnoli (AST), Burghardt (BMC), Boaro (TCS) and Albasini (OGE). But after enjoying a 2' advantage at km 66, the pack moved closer and closer. Bazzana (UHC) made it first to the top ahead of Van Emden (BEL) and Minard (ALM) while the pack was only 40” adrift.
Just after the descent, the rhythm wasn't going to slow down as Nibali (AST), Cancellara (TFR) and Kreuziger (TCS) were on the attack. Eventually the pack bunched up together with only Bazzana carrying on in the lead at km 88. The Italian was soon caught by two other men: Juul Jensen (TCS) and Hepburn (OGE). The pack slowed down and the front three pulled away. At km 99, they had a 1'30 lead over the pack led by teams Lotto-Belisol and SKY.
As they entered the final circuit on the Matrah Corniche, that gap had dropped down to 45”. At the second bonus sprint (1st passage on the line, km 129.5), claimed by Bazzana in front of Hepburn and Juul Jensen, the pack remained 26” adrift. The front three managed to hang on to the lead all the way to the final kilometre. Time had then come for a bunched sprint. Like on stages 1 and 3, André Greipel (LTB) powered to victory. The German champion claimed his third win of this edition, his 5th in Oman, beating last year's winner on the Corniche, Nacer Bouhanni (FDJ) and Sam Bennett (TNE) to the line.
Finishing in the pack, Christopher Froome (SKY) wins the Tour of Oman for the second consecutive year. The 2013 Tour de France winner who had been impressive on the mountain top finish at Jabal Al Akhdhar claims overall victory with a 26” lead over Van Garderen and 31” over Rigoberto Uran. A great way to start the year for the rider from team SKY who will also be hoping to defend his crown on the Grande Boucle, come July. Winner of 3 stages, André Greipel finishes top of the points' classification and therefore wins the Green Jersey, while Romain Bardet, 13th overall, claims the White Jersey for the best young rider. Ever present during the 6 days of the race, Preben Van Hecke (TSV) wins the Most Aggressive Rider's standings.