Matrah Corniche, Oman
Alberto Contador finished second overall in the Tour of Oman
Today’s final stage was in relatively flat from Hawit Nagam Park to Matrah Corniche, and looked like a golden opportunity for the sprinters. Initially Gatis Smukulis (CAT), Wesley Kreder (VCD) and Andrea Di Corrado escaped. But as the field approached the final 3 laps the trio could no longer stay away. At the finish line, the peloton was split into several groups, and the stage was decided in a sprint where Nacer Bouhanni (FDJ) was the first man over the line in front of Matt Goss (increase) and Taylor Phinney (BMC). Christopher Froome (Sky) won the race ahead of Team Saxo-Tinkoff’s Alberto Contador and Cadel Evans (BMC) in third place.
Saxo-Tinkoff’s sports director, Lars Michaelsen says: “The last stage is progressing as we had expected. A small group comes along, and sprinter teams are getting ready for the big sprint at the end. Good enough, there is an increase of about 800 meters on the three laps. A second overall to Alberto is obviously not very satisfactory, but that’s how it is when you are so close to the overall victory. We tried everything we could along the way, and Alberto fought hard, but Froome also revealed that he is not easy to beat, and I take my hat off to him.”
BMC Racing Team took home the team classification Saturday at the Tour of Oman.
In the final overall standings, Evans finished 39 seconds behind winner Christopher Froome (Sky Procycling) and 12 seconds behind runner-up Alberto Contador (Team Saxo-Tinkoff) for his best result at 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 6-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 did good winter training 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.
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.”
