After two days of successive stage wins for Peter Sagan in bunch finishes, other riders were expected to come to the fore on stage four, 143.5 km from Samail to Jabal Al Akhdhar (Green Mountain), of the Tour of Oman today as a showdown on the horrible climb of Green Mountain awaited the riders.

Three of the final four km of the Green Mountain ascent has an average 13.5% gradient and is more suited to sustained strength and a lasting output of anaerobic action rather than sudden and violent alterations of pace. The climb part way up the Green Mountain has by now evolved into the signature race of the Tour of Oman and its presence in the race accounts for the presence of riders such as Alberto Contador (TST), Cadel Evans (BMC), Christopher Froome (SKY) and Vincenzo Nibali (AST) among others.

A handful of riders, Rast (RNT), Bookwalter (BMC), Schillinger (TNE), Friedemann (CSS) and Smukulis (KAT), managed to establish a breakaway and a 2’ 30” lead some 25 from the summit finish. This was not a day when fortune seekers would be allowed to steal victory from the big names, though, and the five escapists were duly caught on the steep slopes of Green Mountain.

Contador on the attack

An acceleration some 2 km from the summit by Alberto Contador saw the leading group splinter as only Nibali was able to respond. As Froome, Evans, Rodriguez (KAT) and Pozzovivo (AG2R) all gave chase, Wiggins (SKY), Goss (ORICA GreenEDGE), Sagan (Canondale) and Boonen (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) were all dropped.

Froome, Evans and Rodriguez were all able to gain contact with Contador and Nibali to form an elite group. Not content to sit with the other three, Rodriguez then went on the attack himself. His powerful increase in speed was too much to handle for the other members of the leading group, and Rodriguez went on to take stage victory. Froome also showed excellent form, trailing by some 25 m to come second, while Evans came third ahead of Contador and Nibali.

In the overall standings Froome is the new leader as today’s stage witnessed a major turnaround in the GC. Peter Sagan holds the points jersey while Traksel maintains the most aggressive rider’s jersey and Elissonde (FDJ) is the best young rider.

Stage 4:

1. Joaquim Rodriguez (KAT)

2. Christopher Froome (SKY)

3. Cadel Evans (BMC)

4. Alberto Contador (TST)

5. Vincenzo Nibali (AST)

General Classification:

1. Christopher Froome (SKY)
2. Cadel Evans (BMC) 24”
3. Alberto Contador (TST) 25”
4. Vincenzo Nibali (AST) 34”
5. Joaquim Rodriguez (KAT) 45”
6. Kenny Elissonde (FDJ) 49”
7. Rinaldo Nocentini (ALM) 58”
8. Johann Tschopp (IAM) 58”
9. Maxime Bouet (ALM) 01’ 15”
10. Arnold Jeannesson (FDJ) 01’ 23”