Mission accomplished: Rui 2nd in the GC, Modolo 3rd in the sprint

The speed of Modolo and the class from Rui Costa completed for Team UAE in the a very satisfying way the Tour of Oman 2017.

In the 6th and final stage (The Wave-Muttrah Corniche, 130,5 km), the Italian sprinter obtained the 3rd place, preceded by the winner Kristoff and by Grosu.
This is the first seasonal podium for Modolo, after the had obtained in the Dubai Tour two fifth places.

Team UAE confirmed an impressive team spirit, aiming for a double goal: supporting Rui Costa in defending the 2nd place in the general classification (in photo De Voecht/PN/Bettini, the podium) and launching Modolo in the sprint.
The Emirati team hit both targets celebrating, in addition to the 3rd place obtained by the Italian sprinter, also the second position of Rui Costa in the final ranking of the Tour of Oman, at 22″ to the winner Hermans and with an advantage of 13″ on Aru (3rd).
An attack from Bardet (who had a gap of 55″ from Rui Costa in the general classification) in the final part of the course was blocked.

“What a great feeling to be on the podium at the end of this exciting competition, which was raced by Team UAE with a constant desire to be protagonist – Rui Costa explained – The course of the Tour of Oman was demanding and it enhanced the qualities of the top riders, that’s why I consider this second place a good achievement.
Of course I would have been even more satisfied if I would have won one of the two stages in which I obtained the second position, however this will be an additional motivation for continuing on this good trend of performances“.

STAGE RESULTS
1- Kristoff 2h57’03”
2- Grosu s.t.
3- Modolo s.t.
4- Van Lerberghe s.t.
5- Belletti s.t.
27- Ait el Abdia s.t., 48- Mirza s.t., 59- Rui Costa s.t. , 95- Marcato 1’07”, 96- Ferrari s.t, 124- Zurlo 2’57”, 125- Kump s.t.

GENERAL CLASSIFICATION
1- Hermans 20h56’20”
2- Rui Costa 22″
3- Aru 35″
4- Kudus 58″
5- Grmay 1’12”
27- Ait el Abdia 4’50, 70- Kump 22’16”, 78- Marcato 23’56”, 107- Mirza 34’07”, 124- Modolo 40’46”, 127- Zurlo 41’30”, 128- Ferrari 43’46”.