Tour of Oman - Stage 4


We have reached the deciding stage. And moderately flat stage with an end climb that will make many riders shudder with fear



That fear seemed to have snuck into the peloton as well as they didn’t even try to make a break for 10 km. it wasn’t until Karpets (CSS) was brave enough to attack. Golas (CCC), Roy (FDJ), Morton (DPC), Gerdemann (MTN), Sicard (EUS) followed him. The 7 riders were later joined by Tvetcov (KAT), Valencia (COL), Haga (BMC) and Mori (LAM).



It the first day we have some mediate wind and already is shows it’s damage. The peloton splits and only 46 riders are able to stay in the front of the peloton. No major climbers were caught behind though. Only rider of climbing note was Geniez (FDJ). However thanks to some serious effort by FDJ/BMC/Drapac they brought the pack back together.


Hanzen (BMC) in the green jersey and Demare (FDJ) not on screen were also caught behind

We have our first view of the finish line and the peloton lead by Caja Rural and Tinkoff have the breakaway in sight.



Contador has started moving up in the field, is he going to attack?. Pirazzi (BMC), Szmyd (CCC) and Berhane (MTN) are trying to follow him either way. Meanwhile Roy and Haga are the only ones left standings from the breakaway.



However it is Riblon (ALM) who makes the first move, followed by Acevedo (CSS) and Owniak (BMC).



Contador knows a dangerous attack when he sees one and goes after the trio mentioned before. We also see a Caja Rural train. Perhaps to put Alacorn in a good position.



Riblon has caught up to Roy and are now leading with a small gap to Contador, Owniak, Acevedo, Alarcon and De las Campos (EUS). The final group that infront of the peloton are Langlov (TTS), Sicard (EUS), Tvetcov (KAT), Verdugo and Zandio (CJR).


Astana fans have been waiting on him to make a move but finally Roche has jumped to the third group solo, giving Nokkvason and Chernetskiy the slip. Chaves (COL) and Peraud (ALM) also show signs of life. Roy has been dropped by Riblon in front.


Roy riding in second place at the front

Roche seems to be unable to catch Group Contador while Riblon is still in front solo. Is he going to somewhat surprisingly win today?



Nobody will deny this win. Amazing attack, going early and being the only one able to catch the lone breakaway rider Roy.



Langlov will take second with Alarcon and De Las Campos taking 3rd and 4th. Main favorite of today Contador will need to settle with 5th. Owniak finising 6th might be somewhat disappointing for him though. Acevedo takes 7th while Roche can’t be happy with 8th. Roy after an long day in the break seems content with 9th.



Hintermuller (MTN) takes the final top 10 finish placing, beating CCC’s Nokkvason and Katusha’s Chernetskiy.



Riblon in the meantime will take the GC lead with a 1’20� lead on Langov. Alarcon is now on the 3rd spot. Degenkolb stays in the Green jersey. Riblon will also take the KOM jersey. Langov will have to settle with the youth classification. Caja Rural leads the team classification due to strong showings of Alacorn, Zandio and Verdugo.

Rank	Name	Team	Time
1	Christophe Riblon	AG2R La Mondiale	3h21'34
2	Nikola Langov	Team Tinkoff - Saxo	+ 1'12
3	Jose Alarcon	Caja Rural - Seguros RGA	s.t.
4	Cristiano De las Campos	Euskaltel - Euskadi	s.t.
5	Alberto Contador	Team Tinkoff - Saxo	s.t.
6	Damian Owniak	BMC Racing Team	s.t.
7	Janier Acevedo	Team Champion System	+ 1'33
8	Nicolas Roche	Astana Pro Team	s.t.
9	Jérémy Roy	FDJ.fr	s.t.
10	Josef Hintermuller	MTN - Qhubeka	+ 2'35

Rank	Name	Team	Time
1	Christophe Riblon	AG2R La Mondiale	14h10'32
2	Nikola Langov	Team Tinkoff - Saxo	+ 1'20
3	Jose Alarcon	Caja Rural - Seguros RGA	+ 1'24
4	Alberto Contador	Team Tinkoff - Saxo	+ 1'32
5	Damian Owniak	BMC Racing Team	s.t.
6	Cristiano De las Campos	Euskaltel - Euskadi	s.t.
7	Jérémy Roy	FDJ.fr	+ 1'51
8	Nicolas Roche	Astana Pro Team	+ 1'53
9	Janier Acevedo	Team Champion System	s.t.
10	Josef Hintermuller	MTN - Qhubeka	+ 2'55

Rank	Name	Team	General
1	John Degenkolb	Astana Pro Team	63
2	Adrien Hanzen	BMC Racing Team	53
3	Ricardo Martinez Machado	Caja Rural - Seguros RGA	44
4	Arnaud Demare	FDJ.fr	39
5	Niccolo Bonifazio	Bardiani Valvole - CSF Inox	31

Rank	Name	Team	General
1	Christophe Riblon	AG2R La Mondiale	16
2	Nikola Langov	Team Tinkoff - Saxo	12
3	Jose Alarcon	Caja Rural - Seguros RGA	10
4	Francisco Javier Moreno	Team Champion System	9
5	Cristiano De las Campos	Euskaltel - Euskadi	8

Rank	Team	Time	General Time
1	Caja Rural - Seguros RGA	10h12'40	42h40'34 (1)
2	Team Tinkoff - Saxo	+ 41	+ 41 (2)
3	Katusha Team	+ 1'58	+ 1'58 (3)
4	AG2R La Mondiale	+ 2'36	+ 2'36 (4)
5	Euskaltel - Euskadi	+ 3'37	+ 3'37 (5)

Rank	Name	Team	General Time
1	Nikola Langov	Team Tinkoff - Saxo	14h11'52 (1)
2	Jose Alarcon	Caja Rural - Seguros RGA	+ 4 (2)
3	Cristiano De las Campos	Euskaltel - Euskadi	+ 12 (4)
4	Damian Owniak	BMC Racing Team	+ 12 (3)
5	Josef Hintermuller	MTN - Qhubeka	+ 1'35 (5)