Muscat: The sixth and final stage of the Oman Cycling Tour started from Al Mouj, Muscat this morning and will conclude on Al Bahari Street in the Wilayat of Muttrah, covering a distance of 132.5 km.
Jan Hirt (Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux) displayed impressive climbing legs on Monday to tame the infamous ascent of Jabal Al Akhdhar (Green Mountain). The Czech rider enjoyed strong support from his teammates, especially Rein Taaramäe, and went solo inside the last 2km. Not only does Hirt take the stage win ahead of Kevin Vauquelin and Elie Gesbert (Arkea-Samsic), he also cracked Fausto Masnada (Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl Team) on slopes of more than 10% to take the red leader’s jersey at the end of an eventful stage that saw the battle open up early in the wind.
Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux quickly gets to the front of the bunch to bring the gap down to 2 minutes and control the day. They made it clear ahead of the stage they wanted to take victory up Green Mountain with Jan Hirt, 3rd overall.
