Tour of Oman (Spoiler)

[Flying_Monkey]

Now, the Tour of Qatar has its well-deserved reputation as a flat, windy, tedious race, but the neighbouring tour, in Oman, is shaping up to be something else entirely. Eddy Merckx is involved in planning it, which is always a good sign, and it has its fair share of lumpiness including at least one stage of really serious climbing. So, who might be up for this?

 

[rich p]

I see that Cav has decided to stay in the region and race this one. He'll be very keen to get a stage win under his belt this year and even keener to stay upright.

Joaquin Rodriguez and Gesink look to be the classiest climbers but it's anybody's guess who's in form or interested and I suspect the hill(s?) won't be tough enough to kill the chances of EBH or Hushovd etc.

Michael Albasini looked a decent all rounder in the Tour of Britain.

 

[Finn]

Now, the Tour of Qatar has its well-deserved reputation as a flat, windy, tedious race, but the neighbouring tour, in Oman, is shaping up to be something else entirely.

Got to agree with that sentiment. Watched the ironically named " Highlights" online and even the ceremonies after each stage were dull. I was gonna not bother checking out the oman race incase it was more of the same so glad to hear it might be worth it !

P.s surely a short section up an actual sandune should have been included in the Qata race

 

[HLaB]

Quite a few big names are listed as competing; its a pity there's no live coverage though it seems like a good race, I'll have to check out the highlights later.

 

[Flying_Monkey]

Well, Theo Bos beats Cav for the first. At least Cav is starting to get up for it...

 

[HLaB]

There in Dutch but the highlights are up. Bos timed that well!

 

[PpPete]

Looks like Cav had the speed but found himself in the wrong place to cover Bos' move.

 

[Flying_Monkey]

Well, today things were much more interesting. The pure sprinters get well and truly dropped, and Matt Goss, Bennati and Boassen-Haagen end up on top. A real selection. Interestingly, all the top climbers are within shouting distance which will make the big mountain stage, in a couple of days, quite crucial.

 

[HLaB]

Yesterdays highlights in English have now been uploaded.

 

[HLaB]

Some Dutch highlights and commentary, huup, huup

 

[iAmiAdam]

Cav was in a terrible position, had to go round the back and through, he was originally boxed in.

 

[dragon72]

I wonder if democracy will have spread to Oman by the end of the race...

 

[Flying_Monkey]

Stage 3: Bos again, Bennati, Goss - Cav wasn't even there (probably got caught out in one of the breaks resulting from the strong winds). Despite his assertions to the contrary, it appears Cav is not really in top form (yet).

 

[rich p]

Stage 3: Bos again, Bennati, Goss - Cav wasn't even there (probably got caught out in one of the breaks resulting from the strong winds). Despite his assertions to the contrary, it appears Cav is not really in top form (yet).

A few grumbles about Brown's lead-out but Goss had seemingly dropped Cav.

I'm a bit surprised by MC's lack of form but he was written off by many this time last year. Maybe he's suckering everyone before he flies in on the MSR!

 

[iAmiAdam]

There's plenty of time yet, once we get these dusty races finished and start the classics Cav will be looking good for July.