Cycling: Oman is currently running the Oman Tour, the last of the three February races in the Middle East. But apart from the region, the race has little in common with its counterparts in Dubai and Qatar. With its varied and demanding profile, the Oman Tour is much more comparable to European stage races such as Paris-Nice or Tirreno-Adriatico. After three stages, Edvald Boasson Hagen is leading the overall standings, all class riders are within striking distance before tomorrow's tough test, only one Australian is disappointed.
Four seconds separate Edvald Boasson Hagen (Dimension Data) at the top of the overall standings from his pursuer Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) – another two seconds later, Greg van Avermaet (BMC), another candidate for overall victory, is lurking. So far the 2016 Tour of Oman has been mostly as expected given the form barometer and stage profiles. The stages of the first two days, with their undulating profile with short but difficult climbs just before the finish, favored explosive riders in the field, backed by a strong team.
Bob Jungels (Etixx – Quick-Step) won the start. The 23-year-old newcomer from Luxembourg was able to stay in the reduced group of leaders on the last climb shortly before the finish and surprised his pursuers on the descent with a 2km long solo ride. But just one day later Jungels had to give up the leader's jersey again: The 2,8 km long and average 6,5% steep ascent shortly before the end pulled the Luxembourger's tooth and he lost a lot of time. In the end, Edvald Boasson Hagen won ahead of Nibali and van Avermaet: The Norwegian, employed by WorldTour newcomer Dimension Data, took the overall lead. On day three, the only chance for the sprinters was waiting, which Alexander Kristoff (Katusha) seized and secured the day's victory.
The disappointing performance of Richie Porte (BMC) was quite surprising. The Australian was actually in good shape at the Tour Down Under, but struggles on every climb in Oman and lost more than three minutes to the top on the first day and things didn't go much better after that. But the 31-year-old is undeterred: "I'm not surprised I'm having problems," the BMC newcomer admits. “It's a tough race, it's hot and fast. But I didn't come here with any ambitions, I just want to do something for my form […] My next big goal is Paris-Nice.”
The king's stage awaits tomorrow: the decision about the overall standings will probably be made on the Jabal Al Akhdhar (or Green Mountain). 7,5km at 10,7% with the high temperatures in Oman will be a real endurance test for the riders and the climbers in the field like Vincenzo Nibali or Domenico Pozzovivo (AG2R) will have to put their cards on the table. So nothing is decided yet.
By the way, the best German is Emanuel Buchmann from second division Bora-Argon 18 in 16th place, 40 seconds behind Boasson Hagen at the top. With a good performance at Green Mountain tomorrow, the reigning German road champion could make a big leap forward in the overall standings.
