MUSCAT: Olav Kooij (Visma–Lease a Bike) showcased his sprinting skills once again by securing his second stage win in the Tour of Oman, overtaking Giacomo Nizzolo (Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team) and Orluis Aular (Movistar Team) in a thrilling finish outside the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre on Tuesday.
The Dutch cyclist, who also triumphed in the opening stage, took full advantage of a well-timed lead-out to dominate the bunch sprint on the slightly inclined approach to the finish line.
The stage commenced at the impressive Oman Across Ages Museum, with 116 riders setting off on the 181.5 km course. After an 8 km neutral zone, an early breakaway quickly formed, consisting of Kongphob Thimachai (Roojai Insurance), Abdulrehman Al Yaaqubi (Omani national team), and Muhammad Mohd Shabri (Terengganu).
Since none of the breakaway riders posed a threat to the general classification, the peloton allowed them to establish a significant lead, which peaked at 9 minutes and 15 seconds at the 35 km mark—the largest gap recorded in this year's event.
As the race unfolded, the breakaway began to fragment. Al Yaaqubi dropped back with 90 km to go, leaving just two riders in the lead group. Seven kilometers later, Shabri experienced a puncture while navigating a winding mountain road, narrowly avoiding a crash. Thimachai briefly waited for Shabri before continuing alone with 50 km remaining. Meanwhile, the peloton, led by Visma–Lease a Bike, had already increased their pace, closing the gap to just over two minutes.
During the second intermediate sprint in Ad Dasur, Shabri claimed maximum points, having also won the earlier sprint in Al Alya. Behind them, Embret Svestad-Bårdseng (Arkéa–B&B Hotels) finished third, earning a valuable bonus second to move closer to the top ten in the general classification.
Sprint showdown in Muscat
Thimachai launched a last-ditch effort, but his solitary pursuit was quickly neutralized by the peloton with 13 kilometers remaining. This set the stage for a fierce sprint to the finish line. The final kilometer featured a slight incline, yet Kooij executed his sprint flawlessly, timing his attack perfectly to outpace his competitors and secure another impressive victory.
David Gaudu (Groupama–FDJ) maintained his overall lead, enjoying a six-second cushion over Adam Yates (UAE Team Emirates XRG) as they approach the crucial final stage on Green Mountain. With a summit finish imminent, the contest for the overall title is poised to intensify.
