Eastern Mountain, Monday February 10th 2025
The fourteenth edition of the Tour of Oman tackled the first of its two summit finishes in Monday’s 180.8-kilometre stage 3. Legs tingling in anticipation of their first real test of the season, the climbers went head to head on Eastern Mountain (1,016 masl), under the gaze of Jabal Sham, the highest peak in the Sultanate (3,018 masl). David Gaudu (Groupama–FDJ) proved strongest in the long-awaited duel that pitted him against the reigning champion, Adam Yates (UAE Team Emirates – XRG). After firing off multiple attacks within the last few hundred metres of the final ascent (4.8 km at 8.5%), the Breton outsprinted the British rider by 1 second, with Damien Howson (Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team) third at five seconds. Gaudu opened his account for the season and wrested the leader’s red jersey from Louis Vervaeke (Soudal Quick-Step), who was dropped with three kilometres to go after going into the red for his teammate Valentin Paret-Peintre, fourth at 13 seconds. Gaudu has 6 seconds in hand over Yates and 12 over Howson going into the last two stages.
Stage
- David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ) 04h16’10”
- Adam Yates (UAE Team Emirates – XRG) +01’’
- Damien Craig Howson (Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team) +05’’
GC
- David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ) 13h28’26”
- Adam Yates (UAE Team Emirates – XRG) +06’’
- Damien Craig Howson (Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team) +12’’
