Tour of Oman: Win for Kitell

2011_Dolan_600_Banner

With Mark Cavendish not riding, the door was open for the other sprinters to win some races and it was Marcel Kittell who grasped that opportunity in Oman. Russell Downing 14th.

RST Cycle Clothing & Trigon Bikes

Winner of two stages last year, Marcel Kittel hit back in style on this 4th edition of the Tour of Oman. The German powered to the line outsprinting all his rivals in a final bunched sprint. Kittel captures the very first overall leader’s Red Jersey of this 2013 Tour.

2013_TourofOman_Stage1

Stage 1: Al Musannah – Sultan Qaboos University, 162 km
142 riders at the start: Sunny, light wind

For its fourth edition, the best riders in the World showed up at the start of stage 1. An unprecedented field of champions including three former Tour de France winners: Alberto Contador (TST), Cadel Evans (BMC) and Bradley Wiggins (SKY), as well as last year’s winner Peter Velits (OPQ) and contenders such as Froome (SKY), Nibali (AST) and Rodriguez (KAT).

142 riders representing 18 different teams took off just after noon for a 162km stage from the Al Musannah resort, all the way to the Sultan Qaboos University. As soon as the first kilometre, two riders broke away from the pack: Traksel (CSS) and Uchima (JPN). Their lead grew rapidely, from 1’30 at km 5 to a maximum 9’25 at km 39. Traksel was first to reach the top of the first climb of the day at Rustaq (km 45.5) ahead of Uchima while the pack led by Stamsnijder (ARG) remained 9’ adrift.

The front two carried on their progression towards the south and then the west. They reached the first intermediate sprint (km 65) won by Traksel ahead of Uchima and Rollin (FDJ) with a 6’45 advantage. While teams Argos-Shimano and Orica Greenedge continued chasing, the gap dropped down to 5’20 at km 104.

Video of the stage

The second bonus sprint was again claimed by Traksel ahead of Uchita and Colbrelli (BAR) while the pack was 2’30 behind. At km 134, Uchita powered away as Traksel stopped his effort. The Japanese rider could still enjoy a 1’20 lead with 25 kilometres to go, and 52”, 20 kilometres from the line.

The last escapee was finally caught at km 147. From then on, the pack remained bunched all the way to the Sultan Qaboos University where a “battle royale” was to take place. Winner of two stages last year, Marcel Kittel (ARG) proved once again he was the master when it came down to a bunched sprint. The German beat Appollonio (ALM) and Bouhanni (FDJ) to the line. Kittel captures both the overall leader’s Red Jersey and the points’ standings Green Jersey. He also leads the best young rider classification while Traksel is the most aggressive rider. After this first stage of the event.

Unlike Qatar, the Oman event is a challenging stage race and so the team with the two Tour de France contenders in it, Sky, did their best to stay safe. Team Sky’s Chris Froome and Sir Bradley Wiggins were content to sit in the bunch on the day and with no designated sprinter in the team, a safe passage was the first objective. The team all finished comfortably despite a late scare as Wiggins was forced to stop behind a crash with two kilometres remaining. Of the other Brits, Russell Downing (NetApp-Endura) was first Brit in 14th place.

Stage 1
1. Marcel Kittel Team Argos-Shimano 4:04:59
2. Davide Appollonio Ag2r La Mondiale
3. Nacer Bouhanni Fdj
4. Alexander Kristoff Katusha Team
5. Tom Boonen Omega Pharma-Quick Step
6. Taylor Phinney Bmc Racing Team
7. Filippo Fortin Bardiani Valvole-Csf Inox
8. Kristof Goddaert Iam Cycling
9. Elia Viviani Cannondale
10. Jacopo Guarnieri Astana Pro Team

14. Russell Downing Team Netapp-Endura
27. Matthew Goss Orica Greenedge
32. Peter Sagan Cannondale
35. Paul Voss Team Netapp-Endura
36. Matt Brammeier Champion System
45. Fabian Cancellara Radioshack Leopard
52. Christopher Froome Sky Procycling
59. Alberto Contador Team Saxo-Tinkoff
68. Philippe Gilbert Bmc Racing Team
73. Zakkari Dempster Team Netapp-Endura
85. Cadel Evans Bmc Racing Team
90. Stephen Cummings Bmc Racing Team
120. Peter Kennaugh Sky Procycling @ 24
121. Erick Rowsell Team Netapp-Endura
138. Bradley Wiggins Sky Procycling @1:21

 

RST Cycle Clothing & Trigon Bikes

Other Results on VeloUK (including reports containing results)

Other News on VeloUK

Tags: