Alexander Kristoff holds on to his lead in Oman

After the 156.5 km second stage in the Tour of Oman, which featured 4 KOM, the Norwegian has proven he is in top form by winning the group sprint and making it over the finish line in second place, hot on the heels of the day’s fugitive Lutsenko (Astana Pro Team). Gibbons (Team Dimension Data) rounded out the podium.

Kristoff holds on to the leadership in the race, just ahead of Lutsenko, who won today’s stage and is now in second place, 3’’ back. Gibbons has moved into third place at 12”. Rui Costa is tenth with 16’’.

“Today was a very challenging stage,” says Kristoff. “Rui Costa was in the first group with all the riders vying for the final classification. I tried to stick with them for as long as possible, but on the final climb I fell back a bit. I managed to catch up at the end of the descent and there was a little time left to organize a move to try and beat Lutsenko. However, I feel like I’m in good shape and second place is a good result.”

The race featured a break controlled by UAE Team Emirates that lasted for most of the day. The fugitives were reeled in with just 16 kilometres to go to the finish line. The rider from Astana made his move in the final to make it over the finish line just 3” ahead of the chasing pack.

Tomorrow’s third stage will cover 192.5 km, setting off from Shati Al Qurum and featuring the first climbing arrival on the uphill stretch to Qurayyat.

Stage 2 results:

1 Alexey Lutsenko (Kaz) Astana Pro Team  4:07:19

2 Alexander Kristoff (Nor) UAE Team Emirates  +0:03

3 Gibbons Ryan (Zaf) Team Dimension Data  s.t

General Classification after stage 2:

1 Alexander Kristoff (Nor) UAE Team Emirates  7:01:56

2 Alexey Lutsenko (Kaz) Astana Pro Team  +0:03

3 Gibbons Ryan (Zaf) Team Dimension Data  +0:12

10 Rui Costa (Por) UAE Team Emirates  +0:16