The 189-kilometer stage four of the Tour of Oman was a slow, hot march in the desert toward a searing end. 

Starting at the Sultan Qaboos Grande Mosque and culminating on the punishing steep slope of Jabal al Akhdar (Green Mountain) everyone knew today was the day the battle for the overall would rage, and with a stiff headwind facing the peloton they had plenty of time to think about the severity that loomed ahead.

Fabian Cancellara knew today was not his forte and there was no disillusionment of keeping the race lead on the brutal summit finish.  Rather, the prospect of a high placing was pinned to Julián Arredondo, a climb suited to his explosive climbing skills. 

As projected, the fireworks erupted on Green Mountain’s steep slope, and when the dust settled a new leader emerged; the peloton eroded to two riders inside the final kilometer and Rafael Valls (Lampre-Merida) jumped to the win over Tejay van Garderen (BMC) by five seconds and grabbed the overall lead. Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) crossed 19 seconds later for third.

Julián Arredondo kept pace to the front leaders for most of the six-kilometer ascent, only losing contact in the final kilometer. He crossed the line in 12th (+1’15”) and slotted into 9th in the overall classification.

“The team worked really well today, we had the leader’s jersey and we thought that I could have a good chance in the finale," he explained by phone during the long transfer to the team's hotel. "At the bottom of the climb BMC rode hard and made a selection of 10-12 riders. I did not know the climb, only that it was short and hard, and I knew that I had to wait, wait, wait. So I just stayed in the wheels of this group and followed. It turned out to be short and really hard climb and with 1k to go I had nothing left and had to let them go. I was passed by a few riders at the end.

"I would have liked to have a better result today, but overall I am happy as this is the first race of the season and I feel like I am growing, and every day a little stronger.  I want to have a great season, and I am already feeling good. I am super motivated."

The queen stage of the five-day race saw little animation for most of its parcours as the scorching temperature and headwind sapped the wills of the riders; However, two brave men were the exception and formed the day’s sole alliance.

The pair caused little concern behind, even when they built a 14-minute lead early on. If they managed to survive the brutal heat and wind the final upward tilt would inevitably be their demise: Green Mountain began gradual enough for the first five kilometers, but the final five carried an average leg-breaking gradient of 10.5 percent.  

Trek Factory Racing, under the onus of Cancellara’s red jersey, shared the work in controlling the two men, and after hours of pedaling in the energy-sapping furnace, the breakaway duo were contained right as the road jutted upward for the final six sharp kilometers.

The steep grades quickly shaved the peloton, including Fabian Cancellara who lost contact early on. 

“We controlled at first but then at one point we stopped and let other teams like BMC help. Fabian tried as best he could, but he is still fighting a cold and his throat was not good in this dry heat. He felt immediately that he was not good today and just went his own pace to the top,” Trek Factory Racing sport director Luc Meersman explained after the tough finish.

Trek Factory Racing now turns its attention to the final two stages, both with bumpyparcours, and will try and snag another stage win to add to Cancellara’s victory of stage two.