Astana’s Andrea Guardini sprints to victory on stage 1 of the Tour of Oman ahead of Tom Boonen and Matteo Pelucchi
![]() |
Tour Oman – Stage 1
Pic: © Muscat Municipality/Paumer/B.Bade
As expected, stage 1 of the Tour of Oman ended up in a spectacular bunched sprint. Four riders however did try their luck as they broke away as soon as the first kilometre. But there wasn’t much they could do on the day’s flat stage against the hungry peloton. On the final straight in Al Wutayyah, Andrea Guardini powered to his first stage win of the season. The Italian managed to beat Tom Boonen and Matteo Pelucchi to the line, capturing the overall leader’s Red Jersey.
Beautiful weather conditions and very hot temperatures welcomed the riders of the 2015 Tour of Oman for the first stage of the event, starting just by the splendid Bayt Al Naman Castle. All eyes of course were on the reigning Tour de France winner, Vincenzo Nibali, eager to battle it out with some of the best riders in the world. While Alessandro De Marchi (BMC) was forced to withdraw from the race, 143 men took off at 11:38 for a 161-km ride heading towards Muscat.
As soon as the first kilometres of racing, four men broke away: Van Zyl (MTN), Van Meirhaeghe (TSV), Konrad (BOA) and Andreetta (BAR). Their lead rapidly grew and went from 2’ at km 7 to a maximum 5’15 at km 17. That was when team Katusha decided to take command of the pack and started chasing. The gap dropped down to 3’15 at the first intermediate sprint (km 47.5) won by Konrad ahead of Van Meirhaeghe and Andreetta.
As the pack moved closer, Van Zyl decided to take off on his own while in the feeding zone (km 76). The South African reached the second bonus sprint (km 87) with a 1’ lead over his former breakaway companions and 4’10 over the pack. Van Meirhaeghe, Konrad and Andreetta were later caught at km 93, while Van Zyl continued his solo effort. The courageous escapee was finally gobbled up by the peloton at km 126.
On the long road heading towards Muscat, the pack remained bunched and did so until the final straight set in Al Wutayyah. In impressive fashion, Andrea Guardini (AST) powered to the line claiming his first ever success in Oman. Already a winner of a stage on the Giro d’Italia in 2012, the Italian sprinter beat Tom Boonen (EQS) and Matteo Pelucchi (IAM). Thanks to his victory, he conquers the overall leader’s Red Jersey and the points classification Green Jersey. Patrick Konrad claims the White Jersey for the best young rider as well as the Red and Green polka dot Jersey having earned the most points at the intermediate sprints.
Result
1. Andrea Guardini, Astana Pro Team 3:45:38
2. Tom Boonen, Etixx-QuickStep
3. Matteo Pelucchi, IAM Cycling
4. Ramon Sinkeldam, Giant-Alpecin
5. Alexander Kristoff, Katusha
6. Nacer Bouhanni, Cofidis
7. Peter Sagan, Tinkoff-Saxo
8. Sam Bennett, Bora-Argon 18
9. Sacha Modolo, Lampre-Merida
10. Arnaud Demare, FDJ
19. Adam Blythe, Orica GreenEdge
26. Vincenzo Nibali, Astana
78. Zak Dempster, Bora-Argon 18
Send your results as well as club, team & event news here
Other Results on VeloUK (including reports containing results)
- NEWS: CLIMBING TRAINING CAMP
- Features, Reports, Results
- CX Result: Welsh Cyclocross League Round 4
- TT Result: Welsh TT Champs
- Cavendish Speaks at Pedal Club Dinner
- HC Result: BEC Hill Climb
- HC Result: Palterton Hill Climb
- HC Result: Butts Lane Hill Climb
- News: GB for Track Worlds
- HC Result: Peak Hill Hill Climb
- HC Result: Firle Beacon Hill Climb
- Result: CCA Season Finale
- CX Result: NWCCA League #3
- CX Result: South West CX League #3
- CX RESULT: Western CX League 4 (Bristol CX)
- CX Result: Central CX League 5 (Hemel Hempstead)
- CX Result: CXNE Round 3
- CX Result: Wessex Cyclocross League 6
- Sad News: Max Pendleton Passes Away
- CX Result: Leicester CX League Round 1
- CX Result: Lincolnshire CX League Rd 4
- Result: Manchester Regional Track League
- CX Result: Shimano Lazer WMCCL
- TT Result: Cardiff 100 Miles RCC 10
- HC Result: Houghton CC Hill Climb (Quarrington Hill)
- HC Result: Bib Lane Hill Climb
- HC Result: Catford Hill Climb
- CX Result: Yorkshire Cyclo-Cross League Rd 2
- TT Result: RTTC National Closed Circuit Championship
- HC Result: Snake Pass Hill Climb
- HC Result: Jackson Bridge Hill Climb
- HC Result: Zurbaran Racing Unthank Hill Climb
- HC Result: Mam Nick Hill Climb
- HC Result: Sussex Revolution VC Hill Climb
- HC Result: Welsh Championship Hill Climb
- TT Result: Norwich ABC 25
- HC Result: Monsal Head Hill Climb
- Tour of Britain 2026 News
- HC Result: Horseshoe Pass Hill Climb
- CX Result: London/South East CX League 4
- CX Result: South West CX League 2
Other News on VeloUK
- Cavendish Speaks at Pedal Club Dinner
- News: GB for Track Worlds
- Sad News: Max Pendleton Passes Away
- NEWS: CLIMBING TRAINING CAMP
- Tour of Britain 2026 News
- Startlist: National Trophy Round 1 (Derby)
- News: Indoor Champs Coming to Derby
- Report: Harry Hudson wins World Title!
- BMCR National Circuit Championships
- Feature: Eddie Dunbar – Building towards the Tour de France & beyond
- FEATURE: The Pedal Club September Lunch
- News: GB for Road Worlds (Rwanda)
- BMCR Event: National Championship
- Report: Men’s Tour of Britain Stage 5
- New Team for Cyclocross Champion Xan Crees
- Tour of Britain Stage 1
- Men’s Tour of Britain Provisional Start List
- Tour of Britain News: GB Team for Race
- FEATURE: The Pedal Club Lunch (August)
- Winners! Ribble Outliers Latvian Triple!
- GB FOR JUNIOR TRACK WORLD CHAMPS
- Beaumont Trophy/Curlew Cup 2025
- STAGE ROUTES ANNOUNCED FOR MEN’S TOUR OF BRITAIN
- TOUR OF BRITAIN NEWS – THE TEAMS
- Startlist: RTTC National 25 Mile Championship
- Ribble Cycles CGR – Commute, Gravel, Road range
- Tour of Britain News: 2 Days in Wales
- News: The Pedal Club Lunch (July)
- STARTLIST: National Youth Circuit Series (Wyke)
- Men’s Tour of Britain Route Update
- GB Team for Track Euros
- Opening of Sir Mark Cavendish Raceway
- Bike News: Ribble Cycles Alloy Bikes
- This Weekend: Junior Road Championships
- Wednesday: Otley Cycle Races
- Mid Shropshire Wheelers celebrates 100 Years of Cycling
- Team Feature: Prologue Junior Racing Team Spring Review
- New: Ribble Cycles Ultra-Grit & Allgrit Ranges
- START LISTS FOR BRITISH ROAD CHAMPIONSHIPS
- STARTLIST: Two day Giant Tugby Ronde van Wymeswold