Edvald Boassen Hagen (Dimension Data for Qhuebeka) has won the second stage of the Tour of Oman today outsprinting Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) and Greg van Avermaet (BMC Racing Team) at the summit finish.
It was a small group up front which also included veteran Davide Rebellin (CCC Sprandli) who contested the stage win as Dan Martin (Etixx-Quick Step) and Richie Porte (BMC Racing Team) lost time. The Irishman came in 1’41” down on the winner, and his team mate and previous race leader Bob Jungels lost 59″.
Today’s stage took the riders from Omantel Head Office to Quriyat over a distance of 162 kilometres. It included the climb of Bousher al Amerat at the 33-kilometre mark and the final climb to Quriyat. The last climb averaged 6.5% over 2.8 kilometres.
An early breakaway of six riders went clear inside the first hour of racing and the last of this group were brought back inside the final twenty kilometres.
With ten kilometres remaining, the peloton started to break up as the CCC Sprandi team of Davide Rebellin put the pressure on. Both Richie Porte and Dan Martin found themselves in the second group on the road.
With 4 kilometres left to race, the front group which included race leader Bob Jungels (Etixx-Quick Step) had extended their lead to 50″ over the group of Martin and Porte.
Astana and Dimension Data came to the front on the final climb to work for Vincenzo Nibali and Edvald Boassen Hagen and it was the Norwegian rider who proved strongest at the end.
The race continues tomorrow with a 176.5 kilometre stage from Al Sawadi Beach to Naseem Park.
Full results to be added later.
