Rui Costa closes the Tour of Oman in 4th

UAE Team Emirates’ Rui Costa ends the Tour of Oman fourth overall after the final stage, which saw little change in the classification with the sprinters fighting for the stage win along the Matrah Corniche.

Unfortunately, Alexander Kristoff is recovering after a crash only 90km into the stage. The Norwegian aimed to win the final stage to double up the stage win from day one. The crash forced him out and left him with scrapes and in need of stitches on his left wrist. UAE Team Emirates’ Doctor Jason Suter checked him, also his left knee. He ruled out problems and gave a green light for his ride in the upcoming UAE Tour. In photo (Bettini), Kristoff after the race.

The team gave its attention to the final classification in the closing moments of stage six. Rui Costa carried the flag for the team, finishing just off the podium in the race. Jan Polanc also fell in the same crash with Kristoff, but was able to continue and keep his sixth place overall behind race winner Alexey Lutsenko (Team Astana).

Giacomo Nizzolo (Dimension Data) won the stage ahead of Sonny Colbrelli (Bahrain-Merida). UAE Team Emirates’s Sven Erik Bystrøm took 10th.

Sports Director Simone Pedrazzini said, “The race went well for us. Kristoff won a stage and finished second the day after. In the climbing stages, Rui Costa showed good form and that’s a good sign heading towards the UAE Tour.
Unfortunately in the last stage, Kristoff was held up by a crash. That’s the only bad point on what has been a great and competitive trip out to Oman“.

Stage 6 results
1 Giacomo Nizzolo (Team Dimension Data) 3h07’12”
2 Sonny Colbrelli (Bahrain-Merida) s.t.
3 Davide Ballerini (Astana) s.t.
10 Sven Erik Bystrøm (UAE Team Emirates) s.t.

Final general classification
1 Alexey Lutsenko (Astana) 21h45’51”
2 Domenico Pozzovivo (Bahrain-Merida) 44″
3 Jesus Herrada (Cofidis) 47″
4 Rui Costa (UAE Team Emirates) 53″
6 Jan Polanc (UAE Team Emirates) 1’14”