Tour of Oman
Where: Oman
When: February 13-18, 2018
Rank: UCI Asia Tour 2.HC
Alexey Lutsenko (Astana) took the overall win of the 2018 Tour of Oman, having built up a time gap on the queen stage climbing the Green Mountain.
Lutsenko was second to his winning team-mate Miguel Ángel López on stage five. He then finished the final stage - won by Alexander Kristoff (UAE Team Emirates) - safely in the bunch to clinch the win.
Previously, Greg Van Avermaet (BMC Racing) had held the lead following a win on the hilly stage three. Van Avermaet also took second place the preceding day, though the win then went to Nathan Haas (Katusha-Alpecin).
Day one was a sprint finish, claimed by Bryan Coquard (Vital Concept) and the events of the fourth stage couldn't shake Van Avermaet from the GC lead.
Final General Classification 2018
1. Alexey Lutsenko (Kaz) Astana, in 22-49-50 22:49:50
2. Miguel Angel Lopez (Col) Astana, at 11 secs
3. Gorka Izagirre (Esp) Bahrain-Merida, at 28 secs
4. Jesus Herrada (Esp) Cofidis, at 30 secs
5. Nathan Haas (Aus) Katusha-Alpecin, at 32 secs
6. Dries Devenyns (Bel) Quick-Step Floors, at 1-05
7. Daniel Navarro Garcia (Esp) Cofidis, at 1-14
8. Odd Christian Eiking (Nor) Wanty-Groupe Gobert, at 1-24
9. Merhawi Kudus (Eri) Dimension Data, at 1-29
10. Rui Costa (Por) UAE Team Emirates, at 1-37
Tour of Oman 2018: Stage Six
Alexey Lutsenko won the general classification following the final stage of the 2018 Tour of Oman. The Astana rider finished safely in the bunch to maintain the lead he built up on the queen stage the previous day.
The sprint finish went to Alexander Kristoff (UAE Team Emirates) - it was his third consecutive win of the stage and first of the 2018 season.
Behind him was stage one winner Brian Coquard (Vital Concept) and Giacomo Nizzolo (Trek-Segafredo) was third.
Read the full report from stage six of the 2018 Tour of Oman here
Tour of Oman 2018: Stage Five
Astana dominated proceedings on the decisive climb of Green Mountain, attacking en masse with Alexey Lutsenko, Miguel Ángel López and Jan Hirt. They were only followed by Gorka Izagirre (Bahrain-Merida).
Hirt did his work for his team-mates and then dropped out inside the final two kilometres, with Izagirre also distanced by the pace set by Lutsenko and López.
The Astana duo reached the line together, with a sharing of the spoils: López taking the stage win and Lutsenko the overall race lead.
Read the full report from stage five of the 2018 Tour of Oman here
Tour of Oman 2018: Stage Four
Greg Van Avermaet (BMC Racing) extended his GC lead by a handful of seconds whilst Magnus Cort Nielsen (Astana) took the win on stage four.
The result came down to a sprint finish from a select group of 25 riders, with Giovanni Visconti (Bahrain-Merida) taking second and Alberto Bettiol (BMC Racing) third.
Van Avermaet managed to cling on to take fourth, maintaining his lead into the Green Mountain stage tomorrow.
Read the full report from stage four of the 2018 Tour of Oman here
Tour of Oman 2018: Stage Three
Greg Van Avermaet (BMC Racing) won stage three, and moved into the race lead following an undulating route over 179.5km.
The Olympic champion made his move with just 500 metres to go, crossing the solo line ahead of second place Rui Costa (UAE Team Emirates) who was three seconds back.
An earlier break did form, and the peloton was happy to let them go on the longest stage of the race. However, the quartet was caught with just under 20km left, with BMC Racing protecting Van Avermaet until the final ascent.
Read our full report from stage three of the Tour of Oman here
Tour of Oman 2018: Stage Two
Nathan Haas (Katusha-Alpecin) won the second stage following a hard day's racing over hilly terrain.
Haas proved to be stronger man, beating Greg Van Avermaet (BMC) and Alexey Lutsenko (Astana) on the uphill drag to the finish at Al Bustan.
A break formed early on the 167.6km stage, but the bunch had chased them down with 25km to go. At this point, 20 riders took to the front of the race, with Haas eventually able to distance his rivals on the final climb.
Read the full report from stage two of the Tour of Oman here
Tour of Oman 2018: Stage One
Victory of the first stage went to Bryan Coquard (Vital Concept), who pipped Mark Cavendish (Dimension Data) and Giacomo Nizzolo (Trek-Segafredo) to the line.
Four riders escaped early on the 162.5km stage, but they were all caught with 10km to go - without too much trouble, in fact - the peloton arriving at the finish line fairly fresh.
Coquard - who had enjoyed four podium finishes already this year - made it to the line first, with Cavendish forced to open his sprint from quite far back, resulting in a battle for second.
Read the full report from Stage One of the Tour of Oman here
Tour of Oman 2018: Stages
The route will feature a mix of sprint stages, hilly stages - and the queen stage for the climbers on day five - read more about the Tour of Oman route 2018 here.
Stage 1 | February 13 | Nizwa > Sultan Qaboos University | 162.5km |
Stage 2 | February 14 | Sultan Qaboos University > Al Bustan | 167.5km |
Stage 3 | February 15 | German University of Technology > Wadi Dayqah Dam | 179.5km |
Stage 4 | February 16 | Yiti (Al Sifah) > Ministry of Tourism | 117.5km |
Stage 5 | February 17 | Sama’il > Jabal Al Akhdhar (Green Mountain) | 152km |
Stage 6 | February 18 | Al Mouj Muscat > Matrah Corniche | 135.5km |
Tour of Oman 2018: Teams
Teams have been announced and are as follows:
Aqua Blue Sport (Ireland)
Astana Pro Team (Kazakhstan)
Bahrain-Merida (Bahrain)
BMC Racing Team (USA)
Caja Rural-Seguros RGA (Spain)
Confidis Solutions Credits (France)
Team Dimension Data (South Africa)
Team Fortuneo-Samsic (France)
Quick-Step Floors (Belgium)
Rally Cycling (USA)
Roompot-Nederlandse Loterij (Netherlands)
Sport Vlaanderen-Baloise (Belgium)
Team Katusha Alpecin (Switzerland)
Team Sunweb (Germany)
Trek-Segafredo (USA)
UAE Team Emirates (UAE)
Vital Concept (France)
Wanty Groupe Gobert (Belgium)
Tour of Oman: 2017 race
Ben Hermans (BMC Racing) emerged victorious from the 2017 Tour of Oman, after a commanding performance which saw him claim two stage wins including on the queen stage to Green Mountain.
Despite a host of top climbers including Fabio Aru (Astana), Rui Costa (UAE Abu Dhabi) and Romain Bardet (Ag2r La Mondiale), Hermans showed he has the form after out-climbing them all with emphatic confidence.
The battle of sprinters was also heavily one-sided, with Alexander Kristoff (Katusha-Alpecin) taking three wins from the race's six stages.
The Middle Eastern races may have a reputation for being flat races through deserts, but the Tour of Oman is anything but that.
The 2017 Tour of Oman is one of the hilliest in the history race, with one bona fide mountain top finish, one hilltop finish, and two further stages with hard climbs close to the end of the race.
Tour of Oman 2017: Stages
Stage one, February 14, Al Sawadi Beach to Naseem Park, 176.5km: Report
Stage two, February 15, Nakhal to Al Bustan, 145.5km: Report
Stage three, February 16, Sultan Qaboos University to Quriyat, 162km: Report
Stage four, February 17, Yiti (Al Sifah) to Ministry of Tourism, 118km: Report
Stage five, February 18, Samail to Jebel Akhdar (Green Mountain), 152.5km: Report
Stage six, February 19, The Wave to Matrah Corniche, 130.5km: Report
Tour of Oman: Recent winners
2017: Ben Hermans
2016: Vincenzo Nibali
2015: Rafael Valls
2014: Chris Froome
2013: Chris Froome
2012: Peter Velits
2011: Robert Gesink
2010: Fabian Cancellara
Key info: Start list | TV guide
Website: Tour of Oman
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Mark Cavendish frustrated on final Tour of Oman stage as Jan Hirt wins overall
Sprinter boxed out on stage six finish, as Fernando Gaviria triumphs
By Ryan Dabbs Published
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Mark Cavendish loses green jersey and fined at Tour of Oman ahead of stage six
Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl penalised by race jury for being pushed back to peloton by car
By Adam Becket Published
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Mark Cavendish crashes 'quite heavily' on stage five of Tour of Oman
Jan Hirt takes stage win and race lead atop Green Mountain on the penultimate day
By Adam Becket Published
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Mark Cavendish raring to get 2022 campaign underway at Tour of Oman: 'It doesn't matter how you're going until you compare yourself with the other people'
Cavendish starts his 2022 campaign at the the Tour of Oman on Thursday
By Ryan Dabbs Published
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Alexander Kristoff sprints to final stage victory at Tour of Oman as Lutsenko secures overall victory
For the third consecutive year Alexander Kristoff won the final stage at Tour of Oman on Sunday, in so doing taking his first victory since joining UAE Team Emirates this season.
By Owen Rogers Published
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Bob Jungels fitted 55-tooth chainring specifically to win Tour of Oman stage
New opportunities at Etixx-Quick Step for Bob Jungels bring confidence - and a bigger chainring for downhill attacks
By Owen Rogers Published
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Chris Froome wins 2014 Tour of Oman
Chris Froome takes the overall victory in the 2014 Tour of Oman as Andre Greipel wins final stage
By Stephen Puddicombe Published
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Alexander Kristoff wins opening stage of Tour of Oman as predicted crosswinds fail to materialise
Norwegian extends his record streak taking his ninth win in Oman in 10 appearances
By Owen Rogers Published
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Tom Dumoulin starts season in Tour of Oman, but Olympics is big target
Despite a strong performance in last year’s Vuelta a España, Dutch rider Tom Dumoulin is delaying any Grand Tour attempts and focussing on Olympic Games time trial glory in Rio
By Owen Rogers Published
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Richie Porte looking ahead to a 'bit of a show' on Tour of Oman's Green Mountain
Australian Richie Porte explains main target for the spring is Paris-Nice, but he may put in a dig during Friday's 'queen' stage of the Tour of Oman
By Owen Rogers Published
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Bryan Coquard pips Mark Cavendish to Tour of Oman stage one win
Despite a chaotic final Bryan Coquard (Vital Concept) battled through to bag his first win of the season at the opening stage of the Tour of Oman.
By Owen Rogers Published
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Chris Froome for Tour of Oman, Bradley Wiggins to Ruta del Sol
Tour de France champion Chris Froome heads to the Tour of Oman, with Bradley Wiggins riding in the Ruta del Sol
By Nigel Wynn Published
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Vincenzo Nibali takes overall lead in Tour of Oman with victory on Green Mountain
Vincenzo Nibali attacked on the day's final climb of Green Mountain to finish ahead of Romain Bardet and teammate Jakob Fuglsang at the Tour of Oman
By Owen Rogers Published
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Sonny Colbrelli wins bunch sprint after nail biting Tour of Oman 2019 stage four finish
Lutsenko goes into Wednesday's key Green Mountain stage leading by 14 seconds overall
By Owen Rogers Published
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Tom Boonen disappointed with Tour of Oman result
Tom Boonen could not finish off the work done by Etixx-QuickStep in the opening stage of the Tour of Oman
By Nick Bull Published
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Andre Greipel back in charge at Tour of Oman
German sprinter Andre Greipel wins stage three and regains overall lead in 2014 Tour of Oman
By Nigel Wynn Published
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Tour of Oman 2015 lineup announced, as Froome opts for Vuelta a Andalucía
The teams set to take to the start line of the 2015 Tour of Oman has been announced, with Nibali, Uran and Rodriguez to feature without defending champion Chris Froome
By Richard Windsor Published
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Hermans wraps up Tour of Oman overall victory as Kristoff claims final stage
The Belgian takes first major stage race victory of his career as Kristoff took a third stage win
By Richard Windsor Published
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Fabian Cancellara moves into Tour of Oman race lead
Victory on stage two of the 2015 Tour of Oman moves Fabian Cancellara into the race lead
By Stephen Puddicombe Published
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Alexander Kristoff sprints to Tour of Oman stage win as climbers' attacks prove futile
Norwegian rider takes his second stage win of the race as climbers's fail to get away over final climbs
By Henry Robertshaw Published
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Vincenzo Nibali seals Tour of Oman overall victory as Alexander Kristoff takes stage win
Alexander Kristoff continues stage-winning streak as Vincenzo Nibali sends clear signal to Giro d'Italia rivals that he's in good shape with GC victory
By Owen Rogers Published
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Ben Hermans wins Tour of Oman Queen stage to all but secure overall victory
Ben Hermans (BMC Racing) won the Tour of Oman Queen Stage to Green Mountain, extending his lead in the general classification with just one day to go.
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
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Sean Yates returns to director's chair at the Tour of Oman
Former Sky sports director Sean Yates starts his new job with Tinkoff-Saxo at the Tour of Oman
By Gregor Brown Published
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Chris Froome leads Tour of Oman after mountain stage win
Chris Froome moves into the overall lead in the 2014 Tour of Oman after strong display on the race's queen stage
By Stephen Puddicombe Published
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Greg Van Avermaet wins third stage of Tour of Oman to move into overall lead
Greg Van Avermaet (BMC Racing) won stage three of the 2018 Tour of Oman as he surged clear of the field on the uphill finish to Wadi Dayqah Dam.
By Owen Rogers Published
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Nathan Haas wins Tour of Oman stage two to take overall lead
Hilly day in the 2018 Tour of Oman whittles down the peloton to a select group of riders, as Nathan Haas sprints into the overall lead
By Owen Rogers Published
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Alexander Kristoff sprints to victory on Tour of Oman stage one
The Norwegian won the opening stage of the desert race as Tom Boonen crashed out of contention with 700m to go
By Richard Windsor Published
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Bob Jungels hits 101kph in winning Tour of Oman attack, Strava shows
Bob Jungels powered away from the peloton to win stage one of the Tour of Oman and reached 100kph in the process
By Stuart Clarke Published
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Tour de France organiser ASO signs six-year extension to run Tour of Oman
The Middle East race looks set to continue in its current guise for the next six years
By Owen Rogers Published