Alexander Kristoff of the UAE Team Emirates squad won the first stage of the 2019 Tour of Oman today in Al Sawadi Beah a Suhar Coniche. After 138.5km, he topped the sprint ahead of Frenchmen Bryan Coquard (Vital Concept) and Nacer Bouhanni (Cofidis).
The Norwegian now leads the race and wears the classification jersey after the win today, the ninth victory for him in Oman.
“Mercato and Bystrom did a good lead-out for me and put me in a good position,” said Kristoff. “It was fast with a tailwind in the final straight, I was seated the whole sprint. I timed it well. I am proud of how the team worked. It was a very good team effort. We had a good start as Team UAE and I’m happy to contribute to it and get my first victory of the year here in Oman.”
“We decided that we’d have to make the race and we took on that responsibility,” said Sports Director Simone Pedrazzini. “At 70km out, we tried to break up the group in echelons since we were feeling well.
“In the sprint, once we brought back the escape, we guided the group for Alex. In the last curve, Marcato led through, followed by Bystrom, who led out Kristoff starting in the last 200 meters and holding off Coquard. For sure, it’s a good moment for all of the team because wins bring more wins.”
Alexis Guerin (Delko), Emiel Panckaert (Sport Vlaanderen), Michael Schaer (CCC) and Sergio Rodriguez (Murias Team) marked the stage with an escape. They never gained much ground and were pulled in with five kilometres to race thanks to the sprint teams.
Tomorrow, the teams face as stage from the Royal Cavalry Oman to Al Bustan, 156.2km. It should be a nervous stage with four small climbs, the last being 1.4km with sections of 9% and leaving only 5km to the finish.
Stage 1 Brief Results:
- Alexander Kristoff (UAE Team Emirates) 2h54’50”
- Bryan Coquard (Vital Concept-B&B Hotels) s.t.
- Nacer Bouhanni (Cofidis Solutions Credits) s.t.
General classification after Stage 1:
- Alexander Kristoff (UAE Team Emirates) 2:54:50
Ron is the chief cook and bottlewasher at Bike World News, doing everything from website design to bike reviews.
Websites:
Bike World News
Ron’s Bike Garage
Current Bike Quiver:
Bird Bikes Zero 29 29″ hardtail mountain bike
Commencal Absolut 26″ Dirt Jump/Pump Track bike
Commencal Tempo 29″ full suspension mountain bike
Felt ZA 700c race bike
Kona Kilauea vintage 26″ mountain bike
Niner RLT9 700c road/gravel bike
Specialized Stumpjumper vintage 26″ mountain bike
Day Job: Digital Marketing
Night Job: Digital Marketing, eCommerce Consultant, Web Consultant, Bike Shop Operator, Husband, Dad, Tenor