Tour of Oman: Chris Froome wins first stage race

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Runner-up in the 2012 Tour de France, Kenyan born Brit Chris Froome started his 2013 season in style, winning the 4th edition of the Tour of Oman

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Runner-up in the 2012 Tour de France, Kenyan born Brit Chris Froome started his 2013 season in style, winning the 4th edition of the Tour of Oman that had never seen as many contenders for the ‘Grande Boucle’ in its short history.

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Nacer Bouhanni wins ahead of Matt Goss and Taylor Phinney. Photo: Bruno Bade / Mascat Municipality / A.S.O.

Stage 6: Nawit Nagam Park – Matrah Corniche, 144kms
The Sky rider won ahead of two Tour de France winners, Contador and Evans. The day’s stage finished in a bunched sprint claimed by Nacer Bouhanni ahead of Matt Goss and Taylor Phinney.

On the morning of the final stage, overall leader Christopher Froome (SKY) enjoyed a rather comfortable 27” lead over Alberto Contador and 39” over Cadel Evans (BMC) but there were still 144kms to be covered with possible upsets on the way and breakaway attempts to be mastered.

In beautiful sunshine, the 139 Riders left in the race took off from the Nawit Nagam Park and headed west to Muscate and a final circuit on the picturesque Matrah Corniche. After just a kilometre, Smukulis (KAT) was the first to break away. Shortly later, the Latvian was caught by two other riders: Kreder (VCD) and Di Corrado (BAR). Their gap grew rapidly over the unconcerned pack: 4’45 at km 8 and then 5’30 at km 19.

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The first intermediate sprint at Qurayyat (km 32) was claimed by Di Corrado over Smukulis and Kreder, while the pack remained 6’35 adrift. It was then Smukulis’ turn to reach the top of the Qurayyat climb (km 39) in first position in front of Kreder and Di Corrado, while the gap reached a maximum 6’40. From then on, as teams Sky, Netapp-Endura and Argos-Shimano took on the chase, the leaders’ advantage dropped.

With 25 kilometres to go, the escapees only had a slim 1’05 lead. They were eventually caught on the final circuit on the Matrah Corniche at km 127. The peloton remained together before the final showdown but after the third and final climb on the circuit, there were only around 80 riders left with a kilometre to go. After coming close to winning a few times, the bunch kick was won by French national champion Nacer Bouhanni (FDJ), beating Matt Goss (OGE) and Taylor Phinney (BMC) to the line.

Red jersey, Christopher Froome finished the last stage comfortably settled in the bunch, winning his very first Tour of Oman. On the final GC, the Sky leader wins with a 27” advantage over Contador and 39” over Evans. Froome also won the Points’ classification while 21-year-old Kenny Elissonde (FDJ) is the best young rider of this 4th edition and Bobbie Traksel (CSS) most aggressive rider.

Chris Froome said afterwards “It’s been an incredibly successful week for us this week. The team has rallied around me all the way and having guys of the calibre of Bradley Wiggins helping you to win a race makes it a hell of a lot easier to be up there when the going gets tough.”

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“The guys have done a sterling job this week and been around me when it’s counted. Luckily I’ve been able to come up with the goods and finish it off at the end of the stages. This is still very early days at the moment and early on in the season. This was a preparation event and a good test to see how the winter training has gone so far. I’m quite confident that I’m on track at the moment and right where I need to be with my preparations in view of being ready at 100 per cent for the Tour de France.”

Dave Brailsford was understandably pleased “It’s good to get the win, especially when you look at the quality of the field here. We’re happy that the team’s been able to get off to a strong start again this year and this result allows us to build momentum. It’s an important result too for Chris as he’s been able to get his first major stage race victory – that will boost his confidence. He didn’t put a foot wrong all week so it’s been a good start to the year from him.”

“The team rode well to support him and it’s great to be able to integrate the new riders, which is something that developed throughout the week. It was good for Joe [Dombrowski] to get his professional career under way and to come through six days of racing having contributed to the team. It’s February and now is the time to build. It’s nice to have that platform but we need to consolidate that and build on it.”

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Good race for Cadel Evans
In the final overall standings, former Tour de France winner and World Champion Evans finished 39 seconds behind winner Chris Froome (Sky Procycling) and 12 seconds behind runner-up Alberto Contador (Team Saxo-Tinkoff) for his best result in a stage race since placing third at the Critérium du Dauphiné last June.

“Third isn’t bad,” Evans said. “It was a nice race with a good level of riders. It’s hard to say something about my condition for the Tour de France, but I can say that after my first race I am feeling good and my condition is good.”

Evans said his next race will be Tirreno-Adriatico (March 6-12), followed by defense of his overall title at Critérium International (March 23-24).

BMC Racing Team Directeur Sportif John Lelangue said he was pleased with the team’s results throughout the six-day race. Phinney’s third place on the final stage added to podium finishes by Greg Van Avermaet (second on Stage 2) and Evans (third on Stage 4).

“This was confirmation that Cadel had a good winter and that he is ready – maybe not at the top level for the moment, but that was not the objective,” Lelangue said. “All the team was present throughout the week, so we can be confident we have a strong team, both for the classics and the upcoming stage races.”

The BMC Racing Team’s win in the team classification added to team titles earned at the Tour de San Luis last month and the Tour de Qatar last week. Evans, Phinney and Van Avermaet joined teammates Brent Bookwalter, Steve Cummings, Yannick Eijssen, Philippe Gilbert and Michael Schär on the final podium.

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Phinney said his best result of the season in a bunch sprint came as a result of several factors. “It was a better sprint for me because the circuits were not so straightforward – there was a little climb in it,” he said. “I also got great help, especially from one of the best domestiques in the world, Michi Schär, in the last couple laps. And Brent was up there helping me out on his birthday.”

Gilbert, one of six BMC Racing Team riders in the top 30 in the final standings, said it was good to see Phinney – a time trial specialist – contesting the finale. “That’s good when he can place in a sprint,” the world road champion said. “It is also good to see that the team achieves these results. They aren’t the biggest results, but Taylor’s third place today, the team classification and Evans in third are nice to see. It was a good Tour of Oman.”

Team Sky’s director sportif Nicolas Portal said of Froome’s win “The team this morning were confident and ready to do whatever was required to keep the jersey for Chris. Some of the sprinters’ teams came through to help on the front and we controlled things with [Vasil] Kiryienka and Joe [Dombrowski]. When we entered the circuit, the whole team came to the front to pull. It was a short climb so we made sure that Chris was in a good position. There was no stress, it was just important to keep control of things and the team did that perfectly.”

“The good thing about this race was that we achieved exactly what we wanted to do, which was to return to the Sky style of racing. To control from the front and, when we commit to something, to really commit to it and carry it out together as a team. All the things we were doing last year. Without the radios it is not easy sometimes so the guys did really well.”

Stage 6
1 Bouhanni Nacer Fdj 3h 24′ 20″
2 Goss Matthew Harley Orica Greenedge + 00′ 00″
3 Phinney Taylor Bmc Racing Team
4 Viviani Elia Cannondale
5 Bozic Borut Astana Pro Team
6 Impey Daryl Orica Greenedge
7 Boonen Tom Omega Pharma-Quick Step
8 Van Poppel Danny Vacansoleil-Dcm
9 Jarc Blaz Team Netapp-Endura
10 Coledan Marco Bardiani Valvole-Csf Inox
11 Trentin Matteo Omega Pharma-Quick Step
12 Kristoff Alexander Katusha Team
13 Colbrelli Sonny Bardiani Valvole-Csf Inox
14 Fortin Filippo Bardiani Valvole-Csf Inox
15 Degenkolb John Team Argos-Shimano
16 Mori Kazuhiro Japan
17 Hinault Sébastien Iam Cycling
18 Evans Cadel Bmc Racing Team
19 Soupe Geoffrey Fdj
20 Lagutin Sergey Vacansoleil-Dcm
21 Appollonio Davide Ag2r La Mondiale
22 Meersman Gianni Omega Pharma-Quick Step
23 Bennati Daniele Team Saxo-Tinkoff
24 Van Poppel Boy Vacansoleil-Dcm
25 Stybar Zdenek Omega Pharma-Quick Step
26 Nocentini Rinaldo Ag2r La Mondiale
27 Breschel Matti Team Saxo-Tinkoff
28 Elmiger Martin Iam Cycling
29 Dempster Zakkari Team Netapp-Endura
30 Porte Richie Sky Procycling
31 Froome Christopher Sky Procycling
32 Nishitani Taiji Japan
33 Sabatini Fabio Cannondale
34 Keukeleire Jens Orica Greenedge
35 Elissonde Kenny Fdj
36 Voss Paul Team Netapp-Endura
37 Tschopp Johann Iam Cycling
38 Goddaert Kristof Iam Cycling
39 Van Keirsbulck Guillaume Omega Pharma-Quick Step
40 Gilbert Philippe Bmc Racing Team
41 Bodnar Maciej Cannondale
42 Bouet Maxime Ag2r La Mondiale
43 Canola Marco Bardiani Valvole-Csf Inox
44 Fischer Murilo Antoniobil Fdj
45 Rast Gregory Radioshack Leopard
46 Eijssen Yannick Bmc Racing Team
47 Friedemann Matthias Champion System
48 Mouris Jens Orica Greenedge
49 Hollenstein Reto Iam Cycling
50 Downing Russell Team Netapp-Endura
51 Contador Alberto Team Saxo-Tinkoff
52 Nibali Vincenzo Astana Pro Team
53 Pozzovivo Domenico Ag2r La Mondiale
54 Veelers Tom Team Argos-Shimano
55 Haller Marco Katusha Team
56 Schär Michael Bmc Racing Team
57 Busche Matthew Radioshack Leopard
58 Rodriguez Oliver Joaquin Katusha Team
59 Fumeaux Jonathan Iam Cycling
60 Grivko Andriy Astana Pro Team
61 Cummings Stephen Bmc Racing Team
62 Tosatto Matteo Team Saxo-Tinkoff
63 Van Hummel Kenny Robert Vacansoleil-Dcm
64 Jeannesson Arnold Fdj
65 Lang Pirmin Iam Cycling
66 Brutt Pavel Katusha Team
67 Pasqualon Andrea Bardiani Valvole-Csf Inox
68 Velits Peter Omega Pharma-Quick Step
69 Minard Sébastien Ag2r La Mondiale
70 Irizar Markel Radioshack Leopard
71 Cataldo Dario Sky Procycling
72 De Marchi Alessandro Cannondale
73 Vandenbergh Stijn Omega Pharma-Quick Step
74 Van Avermaet Greg Bmc Racing Team
75 Bonnet William Fdj
76 Terpstra Niki Omega Pharma-Quick Step
77 Marcato Marco Vacansoleil-Dcm + 00′ 22″
78 Guarnieri Jacopo Astana Pro Team + 00′ 22″
79 Feng Chun Kai Champion System + 00′ 25″
80 Mezgec Luka Team Argos-Shimano + 00′ 38″
81 Cancellara Fabian Radioshack Leopard + 00′ 38″
82 Kuchynski Aliaksandr Katusha Team + 00′ 52″
83 Ruijgh Rob Vacansoleil-Dcm + 00′ 52″
84 Suzuki Yuzuru Japan + 00′ 52″
85 Bookwalter Brent Bmc Racing Team + 00′ 58″
86 Roulston Hayden Radioshack Leopard + 00′ 58″
87 Iglinskiy Valentin Ag2r La Mondiale + 00′ 58″
88 Brammeier Matt Champion System + 00′ 58″
89 Gruzdev Dmitriy Astana Pro Team + 00′ 58″
90 Nishizono Ryota Champion System + 00′ 58″
91 Huffman Evan Astana Pro Team + 00′ 58″
92 Kamyshev Arman Astana Pro Team + 00′ 58″
93 Mol Wouter Vacansoleil-Dcm + 00′ 58″
94 Devolder Stijn Radioshack Leopard + 00′ 58″
95 Wetterhall Alexander Team Netapp-Endura + 00′ 58″
96 Koren Kristijan Cannondale + 00′ 58″
97 Beppu Fumiyuki Orica Greenedge + 00′ 58″
98 Sano Junya Japan + 00′ 58″
99 Kump Marko Team Saxo-Tinkoff + 00′ 58″
100 Selig Rüdiger Katusha Team + 00′ 58″
101 Schillinger Andreas Team Netapp-Endura + 00′ 58″
102 Bandiera Marco Iam Cycling + 01′ 19″
103 Delle Stelle Christian Bardiani Valvole-Csf Inox + 01′ 48″
104 Ratto Daniele Cannondale + 01′ 48″
105 Knees Christian Sky Procycling + 01′ 58″
106 Arndt Nikias Team Argos-Shimano + 02′ 02″
107 Isaichev Vladimir Katusha Team + 02′ 10″
108 Gallopin Tony Radioshack Leopard + 02′ 10″
109 Popovych Yaroslav Radioshack Leopard + 02′ 10″
110 Chainel Steve Ag2r La Mondiale + 02′ 10″
111 Bewley Sam Orica Greenedge + 02′ 10″
112 Uchima Kohei Japan + 02′ 10″
113 Xu Gang Champion System + 02′ 10″
114 Curvers Roy Team Argos-Shimano + 02′ 10″
115 Traksel Bobbie Champion System + 02′ 10″
116 Hernandez Blazquez Jesus Team Saxo-Tinkoff + 02′ 10″
117 Lund Anders Team Saxo-Tinkoff + 02′ 14″
118 Cooke Baden Orica Greenedge + 02′ 14″
119 Kiryienka Vasili Sky Procycling + 02′ 30″
120 Bagdonas Gediminas Ag2r La Mondiale + 02′ 30″
121 Dombrowski Joseph Sky Procycling + 02′ 31″
122 Muravyev Dmitriy Astana Pro Team + 02′ 43″
123 Jorgensen Jonas Aaen Team Saxo-Tinkoff + 03′ 16″
124 Sinkeldam Ramon Team Argos-Shimano + 03′ 16″
125 Kennaugh Peter Sky Procycling + 04′ 00″
126 Wiggins Bradley Sky Procycling + 04′ 00″
127 Smukulis Gatis Katusha Team + 05′ 26″
128 Stamsnijder Tom Team Argos-Shimano + 05′ 26″
129 Boucher David Fdj + 05′ 26″
130 Rowsell Erick Team Netapp-Endura + 05′ 26″
131 Eichler Markus Team Netapp-Endura + 05′ 26″
132 Jiao Pengda Champion System + 05′ 26″
133 Kinoshita Tomohiro Japan + 05′ 29″
134 Hatanaka Yusuke Japan + 06′ 43″
135 Kreder Wesley Vacansoleil-Dcm + 06′ 59″
136 Jang Chan Jae Champion System + 07′ 54″
137 Di Corrado Andrea Bardiani Valvole-Csf Inox + 08′ 54″

FINAL OVERALL
1 Froome Christopher Sky Procycling 23h 28′ 33″
2 Contador Alberto Team Saxo-Tinkoff + 00′ 27″
3 Evans Cadel Bmc Racing Team + 00′ 39″
4 Rodriguez Oliver Joaquin Katusha Team + 00′ 50″
5 Nocentini Rinaldo Ag2r La Mondiale + 01′ 13″
6 Tschopp Johann Iam Cycling + 01′ 13″
7 Nibali Vincenzo Astana Pro Team + 01′ 19″
8 Elissonde Kenny Fdj + 01′ 34″
9 Pozzovivo Domenico Ag2r La Mondiale + 01′ 44″
10 Bouet Maxime Ag2r La Mondiale + 01′ 57″
11 Impey Daryl Orica Greenedge + 02′ 01″
12 Stybar Zdenek Omega Pharma-Quick Step + 02′ 08″
13 Eijssen Yannick Bmc Racing Team + 02′ 09″
14 Voss Paul Team Netapp-Endura + 02′ 21″
15 Elmiger Martin Iam Cycling + 02′ 35″
16 Cummings Stephen Bmc Racing Team + 02′ 39″
17 Busche Matthew Radioshack Leopard + 02′ 47″
18 Soupe Geoffrey Fdj + 02′ 52″
19 Grivko Andriy Astana Pro Team + 03′ 00″
20 Velits Peter Omega Pharma-Quick Step + 03′ 02″
21 Gilbert Philippe Bmc Racing Team + 03′ 04″
22 Jeannesson Arnold Fdj + 03′ 25″
23 Schär Michael Bmc Racing Team + 04′ 03″
24 Canola Marco Bardiani Valvole-Csf Inox + 04′ 20″
25 Lagutin Sergey Vacansoleil-Dcm + 04′ 35″
26 Pasqualon Andrea Bardiani Valvole-Csf Inox + 04′ 52″
27 Van Avermaet Greg Bmc Racing Team + 04′ 54″
28 Gallopin Tony Radioshack Leopard + 05′ 48″
29 Brutt Pavel Katusha Team + 05′ 59″
30 Ruijgh Rob Vacansoleil-Dcm + 06′ 02″
31 Marcato Marco Vacansoleil-Dcm + 06′ 05″
32 Nishitani Taiji Japan + 06′ 20″
33 Feng Chun Kai Champion System + 06′ 33″
34 Breschel Matti Team Saxo-Tinkoff + 06′ 57″
35 Hollenstein Reto Iam Cycling + 07′ 11″
36 Nishizono Ryota Champion System + 08′ 53″
37 Porte Richie Sky Procycling + 09′ 14″
38 Meersman Gianni Omega Pharma-Quick Step + 09′ 18″
39 Hernandez Blazquez Jesus Team Saxo-Tinkoff + 09′ 56″
40 Keukeleire Jens Orica Greenedge + 09′ 57″
41 Cataldo Dario Sky Procycling + 10′ 17″
42 Fumeaux Jonathan Iam Cycling + 11′ 23″
43 Irizar Markel Radioshack Leopard + 11′ 26″
44 Cancellara Fabian Radioshack Leopard + 11′ 46″
45 Vandenbergh Stijn Omega Pharma-Quick Step + 11′ 54″
46 Trentin Matteo Omega Pharma-Quick Step + 11′ 54″
47 De Marchi Alessandro Cannondale + 12′ 09″
48 Bookwalter Brent Bmc Racing Team + 13′ 11″
49 Colbrelli Sonny Bardiani Valvole-Csf Inox + 13′ 16″
50 Ratto Daniele Cannondale + 13′ 34″
51 Mezgec Luka Team Argos-Shimano + 14′ 05″
52 Bodnar Maciej Cannondale + 14′ 07″
53 Schillinger Andreas Team Netapp-Endura + 14′ 12″
54 Van Keirsbulck Guillaume Omega Pharma-Quick Step + 15′ 04″
55 Bandiera Marco Iam Cycling + 15′ 21″
56 Roulston Hayden Radioshack Leopard + 15′ 53″
57 Bozic Borut Astana Pro Team + 15′ 57″
58 Goddaert Kristof Iam Cycling + 16′ 45″
59 Beppu Fumiyuki Orica Greenedge + 17′ 01″
60 Kuchynski Aliaksandr Katusha Team + 17′ 11″
61 Van Poppel Boy Vacansoleil-Dcm + 17′ 13″
62 Koren Kristijan Cannondale + 17′ 32″
63 Terpstra Niki Omega Pharma-Quick Step + 17′ 48″
64 Hinault Sébastien Iam Cycling + 18′ 18″
65 Popovych Yaroslav Radioshack Leopard + 18′ 44″
66 Dombrowski Joseph Sky Procycling + 18′ 58″
67 Degenkolb John Team Argos-Shimano + 19′ 28″
68 Phinney Taylor Bmc Racing Team + 19′ 30″
69 Minard Sébastien Ag2r La Mondiale + 19′ 30″
70 Arndt Nikias Team Argos-Shimano + 20′ 48″
71 Suzuki Yuzuru Japan + 21′ 12″
72 Sano Junya Japan + 21′ 28″
73 Dempster Zakkari Team Netapp-Endura + 22′ 07″
74 Wiggins Bradley Sky Procycling + 22′ 46″
75 Kennaugh Peter Sky Procycling + 23′ 02″
76 Curvers Roy Team Argos-Shimano + 23′ 27″
77 Rast Gregory Radioshack Leopard + 23′ 59″
78 Kristoff Alexander Katusha Team + 24′ 19″
79 Lang Pirmin Iam Cycling + 24′ 31″
80 Sabatini Fabio Cannondale + 25′ 01″
81 Fischer Murilo Antoniobil Fdj + 25′ 29″
82 Bonnet William Fdj + 25′ 46″
83 Boonen Tom Omega Pharma-Quick Step + 26′ 17″
84 Chainel Steve Ag2r La Mondiale + 26′ 18″
85 Wetterhall Alexander Team Netapp-Endura + 26′ 30″
86 Bouhanni Nacer Fdj + 27′ 08″
87 Xu Gang Champion System + 27′ 08″
88 Downing Russell Team Netapp-Endura + 27′ 18″
89 Tosatto Matteo Team Saxo-Tinkoff + 27′ 36″
90 Isaichev Vladimir Katusha Team + 27′ 54″
91 Viviani Elia Cannondale + 28′ 41″
92 Devolder Stijn Radioshack Leopard + 28′ 42″
93 Gruzdev Dmitriy Astana Pro Team + 28′ 49″
94 Bewley Sam Orica Greenedge + 28′ 59″
95 Appollonio Davide Ag2r La Mondiale + 29′ 04″
96 Kamyshev Arman Astana Pro Team + 29′ 16″
97 Van Poppel Danny Vacansoleil-Dcm + 29′ 28″
98 Bagdonas Gediminas Ag2r La Mondiale + 29′ 52″
99 Jarc Blaz Team Netapp-Endura + 30′ 06″
100 Boucher David Fdj + 30′ 06″
101 Smukulis Gatis Katusha Team + 30′ 13″
102 Sinkeldam Ramon Team Argos-Shimano + 30′ 21″
103 Bennati Daniele Team Saxo-Tinkoff + 30′ 28″
104 Knees Christian Sky Procycling + 30′ 28″
105 Selig Rüdiger Katusha Team + 30′ 34″
106 Muravyev Dmitriy Astana Pro Team + 30′ 50″
107 Mol Wouter Vacansoleil-Dcm + 31′ 07″
108 Huffman Evan Astana Pro Team + 31′ 26″
109 Jiao Pengda Champion System + 31′ 52″
110 Brammeier Matt Champion System + 32′ 23″
111 Mouris Jens Orica Greenedge + 32′ 23″
112 Cooke Baden Orica Greenedge + 32′ 25″
113 Lund Anders Team Saxo-Tinkoff + 32′ 44″
114 Di Corrado Andrea Bardiani Valvole-Csf Inox + 32′ 54″
115 Eichler Markus Team Netapp-Endura + 32′ 59″
116 Goss Matthew Harley Orica Greenedge + 33′ 22″
117 Mori Kazuhiro Japan + 33′ 28″
118 Rowsell Erick Team Netapp-Endura + 33′ 35″
119 Kump Marko Team Saxo-Tinkoff + 33′ 47″
120 Haller Marco Katusha Team + 34′ 10″
121 Iglinskiy Valentin Ag2r La Mondiale + 34′ 35″
122 Veelers Tom Team Argos-Shimano + 34′ 39″
123 Friedemann Matthias Champion System + 34′ 42″
124 Guarnieri Jacopo Astana Pro Team + 35′ 34″
125 Coledan Marco Bardiani Valvole-Csf Inox + 35′ 47″
126 Fortin Filippo Bardiani Valvole-Csf Inox + 35′ 49″
127 Kreder Wesley Vacansoleil-Dcm + 35′ 55″
128 Stamsnijder Tom Team Argos-Shimano + 36′ 20″
129 Van Hummel Kenny Robert Vacansoleil-Dcm + 37′ 31″
130 Uchima Kohei Japan + 37′ 31″
131 Delle Stelle Christian Bardiani Valvole-Csf Inox + 37′ 33″
132 Jorgensen Jonas Aaen Team Saxo-Tinkoff + 38′ 37″
133 Kiryienka Vasili Sky Procycling + 39′ 15″
134 Jang Chan Jae Champion System + 43′ 36″
135 Traksel Bobbie Champion System + 44′ 40″
136 Kinoshita Tomohiro Japan + 46′ 39″
137 Hatanaka Yusuke Japan + 55′ 00″

 

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