Rigoberto Uran (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) confirmed the good condition he had already shown in the fourth stage of the Tour of Oman when he finished 3rd on the queen stage to the top of the Green Mountain. Despite the strong showing, the Colombian was slightly disappointed with the result but chose to keep it in perspective, given that it was his first real mountaintop finish of the season.
With a summit finish on the Green Mountain - the highest point of Oman - the 5th stage of the Tour of Oman played a decisive role in the overall classification. The climbers and overall contenders battled for the win and for the second day in a row, Rigoberto Uran came to the fore. He finished 3rd, 24 hours after coming in 2nd on stage 4.
After a breakaway of four riders was caught in the final kilometers of the stage, Team Sky led the peloton to the final climb of the day in order to put their captain Chris Froome in a good position. Rigoberto Uran remained in the front of the bunch, as he had all day. Sergio Henao (Sky) was the first one to attack on the Green Mountain.
A small chase group reeled the Colombian rider in quickly. With 1.5 kilometers to go Froome attacked. Uran chased together with Tejay van Garderen (BMC), but they couldn't catch Froome. Froome took the stage win and is also the new overall leader.
Uran is also 3rd in the GC after today.
Uran admitted to having expected more from himself after yesterday's excellent showing.
"I'm happy about this result and the support I had from the team during the race," Uran said. "Honestly today I was hoping to do something better, but I also have to say that it's not a bad result for real first race of my season. The team worked perfectly for me. Then in the final Froome attacked. I went with van Garderen to try to follow him, but I couldn't stay with him. I still don't have this rhythm in the legs. In any case, I think I did a good race. Second yesterday, third today and third in the GC. I come back to Europe with good sensations."
Only a flat stage remains and so only disaster can prevent Uran from keeping his spot on the podium.
You can read our preview of the race here.
25.04 - 01.05: Le Tour de Bretagne Cycliste |
01.05: Cyclis Classic |
01.05: Omloop van het Waasland |
01.05: Eschborn-Frankfurt |
01.05: GP Vorarlberg |
01.05: Eschborn-Frankfurt U23 |
03.05: La Classique Morbihan |
01.05 - 04.05: La Coupe du President de la Vi... |
04.05: Liège-Bastogne-Liège Junior |
04.05: GP Eco-Struct |
Cyril LOMAZZI 27 years | today |
Carlos BARBERO 33 years | today |
Andrey RUSAEV 39 years | today |
Cristian VILLANUEVA REGUEIRO 44 years | today |
Adrian RICHEZE 35 years | today |
© CyclingQuotes.com