Chris Froome (Sky) crushed the opposition in the queen stage of the Tour of Oman and is now poised for a second consecutive win in the Middle East race. We have already posted several reactions and have gathered a few more below.

Valerio Agnoli (Astana, 25th +2.09)

“For this time of year there’s no great surprises – I think when it comes time to go race for our really important goals – we will see how strong we really are.”

Lars Michaelsen (sports director Tinkoff-Saxo whose best rider was Roman Kreuziger in 10th)

“It was a pretty hard stage with an uphill finish over 5.7 kilometres and we knew we had to be in a good position going in on the final slope so we ordered everyone to the front of the pack at the foot of climb and they did a good job. But when Froome accelerated, Roman simply ran out of gas and fell back to tenth position and lost just over a minute.”

Andreas Schillinger (NetApp-Endura, 96th +7.51)

"As already announced yesterday, the decision on the general classification was on the agenda today. The profile of the stage up to the final stretch was not particularly hard. After 25 minutes, a 4-man lead group formed yet again today. But Katusha and Cannondale quite quickly agreed that they wouldn’t permit a lead of more than 4 minutes.

"For our part, we wanted to protect Leo [König], David [de la Cruz], and Bartosz [Huzarski] and bring them into the final stretch. Overall, we functioned well as a team once again, but unfortunately we just didn’t have any luck in the final stretch.

"We brought Leo almost to the very front in the last kilometer before the finish. Fighting for position just before a mountain finish line is the same thing as a final sprint. Each team attempts to bring its leader into the vanguard while on the mountain. As I indicated, we were able to deliver into a good position at the foot of the mountain. But after 500 meters, everything turned out differently. Leo was standing at the roadside and had to exchange front wheels with Zak [Dempster], since he had ended up with a flat tire. While he tried to catch up again, which sounds easier than it really is when everyone is riding fast. So, sad to say, we, and Leo in particular, had to abandon our hopes for the general classification.

"The transfer after the race was over a distance of 180 kilometers. Leo, Zak and I rode a few more kilometers towards the hotel, so that we wouldn’t have to spend so much time in the auto. So tomorrow it’s time for the last stage. It’s supposed to be hilly and up to medium difficulty. My instinct tells me there will be a final sprint, but there can always be surprise."

Laurenzo Lapage (sports director Orica-GreenEDGE whose best rider was Daryl Impey in 19th)

"The stage today was about the summit finish. We wanted to start the climb with three riders in a good position – Santa [Ivan Santaromita], Daryl and Cam [Meyer].

"There was again a small break, but it was not up to us to do any work knowing how the finish was. We saved all of our energy for the climb.

"Green Mountain is a really steep climb. Today the bunch came at the bottom really fast because all of the leaders wanted to be in a good position. For this climb, it’s important to find your own rhythm. It’s so steep and there is the danger of blowing up.

"Yes [I am satisfied]. The boys are ready for the bigger goals of the season.

"There is a high chance that the [final] stage will end in a bunch sprint. We will have more specific discussions during our meeting, but I can say now we will likely go for Jens Keukeleire or Daryl Impey in the final."

Thomas Löfkvist (IAM, 18th +1.48)

“I have pain in my legs, but I know why.  Although I did not come here to win, I gave my maximum.  And I relied on the work of all the guys.  There is really a very impressive team spirit.  Personally, I know I am on schedule to be 100 % for the Tirreno-Adriatico.  And that gives me confidence.”

Kjell Carlström (sports director IAM whose best rider was Johann Tschopp in 13th)

“Everyone has put his whole heart into his work.  It was impressive to see the team work that way.  We agreed yesterday that today we would work to bring Mathias [Frank], Thomas [Löfkvist] and Johann to the base of the climb in the best possible condition.  When I look at the standings, and look at the riders who are ahead of us, I think that we are not far from all the best in the world.”

Stefano Locatelli (Bardiani, 24th +2.09)

”It was a really demanding stage, with a finishing climb that was really hard. The Sky riders set a fast tempo from the bottom. I struggled in the first part, but with my pace I did a good finishing climb. More than the result, I’m happy for the feeling I had today. After a negative 2013 with two bad injuries, I am coming back to a good level."

Roberto Reverberi (sports director Bardiani whose best rider was Stefano Locatelli in 24th)

”Against the best climbers in the world, Locatelli made a solid effort, taking a good result, especially for the future. To report in a positive way the presence of Canola in the day's break that was caught with 10km to go. Now tomorrow there will be the final stage which is suitable for sprinters. We have Ruffoni and Fortin in good shape, ready to close this race with an important result."