MUSCAT: Czech rider Jan Hirt of Intermarche-Wanty-Gobert Materiaux survived the challenge of rivals to take the overall winners red jersey in the Tour of Oman 2022 which concluded here on Tuesday. Stage 1 winner Fernando Gaviria of UAE Team Emirates stormed to another stage title in the 130.5 km sixth and final stage from Al Mouj to Mutrah Sea Road.
The Colombian 'Misil' capped off the thrilling week of cycling with a fast sprint to take the last stage win ahead of of Kaden Groves (BikeExchange-Jayco) and Amaury Capiot (Arkea-Samsic).
Back after a dominant outing at Jabal Al Akhdhar (Green Mountain), Hirt emerged the champion with an aggregate time of 22 hours 35 minutes and 43 seconds.
"I thank my teammates for the great support. As a team member and personally I enjoyed the race. Cycling is a team sport and we perfectly implemented our strategy in the last stage," the Belgium team rider said. Hirt had described his vital win of stage 5 at Jabal Al Akhdhar as 'dream accomplished' earlier.
Stage four winner Fausto Masnada of Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl Team came second overall with a timing of 22:36:43 and Portuguese rider Rui Costa of UAE Team Emirates finished third on 22:36:59.
GREEN FOR GAVIRIA
Gaviria claimed the green jersey with 37 points ahead of Kaden Groves of Team BikeExchange-Jayco with 33 points and Hirt with 32 points.
“I’m really happy to take the last stage here in Oman. It’s been a good week for me and the team,”
Gaviria said after the win at Mutrah.
"I’m happy because my team worked well and stayed focused on winning the stage and we were able to deliver. From the beginning we tried to take control of the race and luckily I had good legs in the finish and could take the sprint,'' he told the UAE Team Emirates website.
“It was a nice week: one of the beauties of this sport is to travel and discover new countries and cultures. So to ride in amazing places like Oman is great and we’ll hope to be back next year,” the Portuguese rider added.
Star campaigner UK's Mark Cavendish ended the Tour with 28 points in fourth position in the general points classification.
The Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl Team rider finished a disappointing 67th in the overall standings after a frustrating sixth in the final stage.
CHARMIG BEST YOUTH
Meanwhile, Denmarak's Anthon Charmig of Uno-X Pro Cycling Team was selected as the best young rider of the Tour. Charmig, who finished fifth overall behind French rider Elie Gesbert of Arkea-Samsic, had won the third stage.
"The Green Mountain stage didn't go as I had hoped for after an early crash, but overall happy about the race and incredibly proud of my stage win! Thanks to the team for the help all week!" Charmig said.
Spanish riders of Euskaltel-Euskadi, Peio Goikoetxea Goiogana and Antonio Angula Sampedro emerged the top two aggressive riders respectively.
For the hosts, Mundher al Hasani finished 81st followed by Abdulrahman al Yaqoobi, Said al Rahbi, Mohammed al Wahibi, Faisal al Mamari and Mazin al Riyami -- all part of debutant Oman National Team.
Arkea-Samsic take team title
French team Arkea-Samsic consisting of Elie Gesbert (France), Winner Andrew Anacona (Colombia), Amaury Capiot (Belgium), Laurent Pichon (France) and Kevin Vauquelin (France) claimed the overall team title with an aggregate timing of 67:53:48 covering the 891 km over the six stages.
Intermarche-Wanty-Gobert Materiaux came second with 67:53:55 and Team DSM ended third on 67:55:49.
Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl Team ended fifth below Bardiani CSF Faizane.
Tour of Oman Stage 6 Results
Position, Rider (country), Team, Timing
1. Fernando Gaviria Rendon (Col) UAE Team Emirates 4:10:16
2. Kaden Groves (Aus) BikeExchange-Jayco 4:10:16
3. Amaury Capiot (Bel) Arkea-Samsic 4:10:16
4. Paul Penhoet (Fra) Groupama-FDJ 4:10:16
5. Hugo Page (Fra) Intermarche-Wanty-Gobert Materiaux 4:10:16
6. Mark Cavendish (GBr) Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl Team 4:10:16
7. Felix Gross (Ger) UAE Team Emirates 4:10:16
8. Laurenz Rex (Bel) Bingoal Pauwels Sauces WB 4:10:16
9. Szymon Sajnok (Pol) Cofidis 4:10:16
10. Kevin Vaquelin (Fra) Arkea-Samsix 4:10:16
Overall general standings
1. Jan Hirt (Cze) Intermarche-Wanty-Gobert Materiaux 22:35:43
2. Fausto Masnada (Ita) Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl Team 22:36:43
3. Rui Costa (Por) UAE Team Emirates 22:36:59
4. Elie Gesbert (Fra) Arkea-Samsic 22:37:01
5. Anthon Charmig (Den) Uno-X Pro Cycling Team 22:37:01
6. Kevin Vauquelin (Fra) Arkea-Samsic 22:37:21
7. Kevin Colleoni (Ita) BikeExchange-Jayco 22:37:33
8. Rein Taaramae (Est) Intermarche-Wanty-Gobert Materiaux 22:37:34
9. Henri Vandenabeele (Bel) Team DSM 22:37:37
10. Mauro Schmid (Swi) Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl Team 22:37:44
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