Cycling: Alexey Lutsenko (Astana) clinched his third day's victory at the Tour of Oman 2019. The Kazakh won the king's stage up to Green Mountain and is therefore about to defend his title in command. The day ended bitterly for Fabien Grellier (Direct Energie). The French escape was only caught a few meters from the finish line.
Lutsenko is in a class of his own in Oman
Anyone who wins three out of five stages can truly call themselves a well-deserved overall winner. Although the Tour of Oman doesn't end until tomorrow, after today's king's stage there are no longer any legitimate doubts about the old and new overall winners. alexey lutsenko (Astana) won the Tour of Oman last year, but at that time he was not allowed to crown himself as the winner of the day up to Green Mountain. He reached the top with his teammate Miguel Angel Lopez, leaving his Colombian partner to win the stage. This time there was no one with him, because in the final 5,7 kilometer climb with an average gradient of 10,5 percent he left all his competitors behind. Instead of just fending off the attacks of the strong climbers and defending his lead, Lutsenko went on the offensive himself - and celebrated his third day's victory at this year's Tour of Oman on Green Mountain.
Grellier is only a few meters away from winning the day
Where there are winners, there are usually losers. However, the second of the day should not be described as such Fabien Grellier (Direct Energy). The Frenchman was part of the breakaway group and clearly proved to be the strongest pro in the climb up Green Mountain. He already looked like the sure winner, dominating from behind alexey lutsenko came rushing. In the end, only a few meters were missing. Fabien Grellier reached the summit in second place, seven seconds behind. Behind them, it was all about the podium in the overall standings. The Italian Dominic Pozzo alive (Bahrain – Merida) secured second place overall with third place. Presumably tomorrow will be honored as third place Jesus Herrada (Cofidis). In the overall standings, the two are already far behind Alexey Lutsenko with 44 and 47 seconds respectively.
Hat trick: Lutsenko grijpt vlucht op 50 meters van de meet en wint weer in Oman https://t.co/E57rlnNJgr pic.twitter.com/IgFC5dXuQv
— In de tragestrui (@IndeLeiderstrui) February 20, 2019