Last stop of this year’s Tour of Oman is this stage. With three small ascends near the finishing line, some riders could spoil the fun for sprinters. Ciolek is a Points Classification leader, and there are no reasons not to keep it in his possession.
Ryder Hesjedal attacked along with Duarte(COL), Anderson (DPC), and Kamyshev (AST). Soon they are joined with Cheung (HKG) and Silin (KAT).
After 6km Le Mevel (COF), Dyball (HGP) and Wohler (BFL) merged with escapees. It was a group of nine.
Lotto Belisol is controlling the gap.
88km from the finishing line, gap is 4’45’’.
Lotto Belisol and Omega-Pharma are setting a pace and gap decreased on 2’44’’. Ciolek is at the front of the peloton trying to maintain his 9th GC.
First intermediate sprint – Kamyshev, Cheung, Silin
Category climb – Dyball, Kamyshev, Le Mevel
Le Mevel, Duarte and Hesjedal attack on the last hill and going without companions towards the finishing line.
12’ behind them are Dyball and Silin.
Ciolek is 27’’ behind.
In the sprint finish, Duarte had strongest legs. Ciolek takes Point classification and top ten position. Great month for Gerald Ciolek.
After losing over 2 minutes on previous stage, MTN-Qhubeka changed their priorities and their going for Mountain Classification. Either Gerdemann or Gebremaryam will have to go in a breakaway and collect valuable points. This is going to be decisive stage for general classification.
Attack by Mountain jersey holder - Gebremaryam. Breakaway was formed, Acevedo (GRM), Chalapund (COL), Garate (BEL), Garcia (COF), Amets Txurruka (CJR) and Gebremaryam (MTN).
First Category Climb takes Garcia, ahead Chalapund and Gebremaryam. This two points secures him Mountain Classification.
Intermediate sprint goes to Txurruka, ahead of Garcia and Acevedo.
Second Intermediate Sprint takes Txurruka, ahead of Garcia and Garate.
Second category climb first overcomes Garcia, in front of Garate, Chalapund, Txurruka and Acevedo. Gebremaryam did manage to take any points.
Last hill, finish on ascend brings attacks. First attackes Nocentini. Bauer, Meersman, Moser, Thomas, MAlacarne, Gallopin, Simon, Preidler, Betancur, Ullisi, Porte and Martens are following.
Sprint finish between Nocentini and Moser. Who is going to be strongest?
Victory for Rinaldo Nocentini. He was ahead of Moser for couple of cm. What a victory.
Third comes Gianni Meersman.
Gebremaryam came 2’33’’ behind the stage winner. But he holds Mountain jersey firmly on his shoulders.
Tomorrow is a time trial and there will be a fight for overall victory.
Gianni Meersman is still man in yellow and white.
Gebremaryam wins mountain classification ahead of Garcia who was only two points behind.
Moreno Moser is the best young rider on the race, but stage tomorrow will show can he keep it in his possession.
After three stages 34km time trial is going to decide the winner of Volta ao Algarve 2014. MTN-Qhubeka is holding Mountain Classification with Gebremariam, and I believe they are extremely happy with such result. Linus Gerdemann is not at the top, so this result must be satisfying.
Songezo Jim is the first from MTN-Qhubeka. After six riders he has best intermediate time. But on the finishing line he is only sixth. Bad ride on the second part of the course. Cristophe Premont (WBC) is a current leader.
Johann Van Zyl is next for MTN-Qhubeka team. He has third time on intermediate check point. Seventh at the finishing line. Dennis Van Winden (BEL) has the time with 13’ ahead Premont.
Gretch is on the road and setting the best intermediate time. He is by far best at finish.
Next on the road for MTN-Qhubeka are Venter, Russom and Thomson.
Venter is second on IntS. Can he make it to the finish. Yes he can, sixth time at the moment. But Thomson is fourth. What a great second ride from Thomson.
Next from the start go Jense Van Rensburg, Gebremaryam and Gerdemann. Gerdemann is our best time trialist on this race. He is showing that, third Intermediate time. But at the finishing line only ninth place. Edvald Boasson Hagen has the best time so far.
Toni Martin, the world champion is on the road, and sets 28’’ better time than Boasson Hagen.
Of course, first place at the finishing line.
It is a overall victory for Gianni Meersman. Brilliant performance from Belgian rider in Portugal.
Gebremaryam, with his hearty ride, has got many new fans around the world and has shown that African cycling has good perspective.
After three stages 34km time trial is going to decide the winner of Volta ao Algarve 2014. MTN-Qhubeka is holding Mountain Classification with Gebremariam, and I believe they are extremely happy with such result. Linus Gerdemann is not at the top, so this result must be satisfying.
Songezo Jim is the first from MTN-Qhubeka. After six riders he has best intermediate time. But on the finishing line he is only sixth. Bad ride on the second part of the course. Cristophe Premont (WBC) is a current leader.
Johann Van Zyl is next for MTN-Qhubeka team. He has third time on intermediate check point. Seventh at the finishing line. Dennis Van Winden (BEL) has the time with 13’ ahead Premont.
Gretch is on the road and setting the best intermediate time. He is by far best at finish.
Next on the road for MTN-Qhubeka are Venter, Russom and Thomson.
Venter is second on IntS. Can he make it to the finish. Yes he can, sixth time at the moment. But Thomson is fourth. What a great second ride from Thomson.
Next from the start go Jense Van Rensburg, Gebremaryam and Gerdemann. Gerdemann is our best time trialist on this race. He is showing that, third Intermediate time. But at the finishing line only ninth place. Edvald Boasson Hagen has the best time so far.
Toni Martin, the world champion is on the road, and sets 28’’ better time than Boasson Hagen.
Of course, first place at the finishing line.
It is a overall victory for Gianni Meersman. Brilliant performance from Belgian rider in Portugal.
Gebremaryam, with his hearty ride, has got many new fans around the world and has shown that African cycling has good perspective.
After a great ride on Volta ao Algarve, Tsgabu Gebremaryam Grmay is very happy with his performance.
Me: How do you feel after this success in Portugal?
TG: It is a great honor to wear a jersey on such prestigious race in Europe. This is the biggest result in my career and hope I can do even better.
Me: Was this jersey main team goal, or this came as consolation praise?
TG: It was in our thoughts. Our prime goal was top ten result with Gerdemann. However, he wasn't feeling well, and the race didn't start as we expected, so we had to change our focus, and this came as a result of that.
Me: What are your goals for the rest of this season?
TG: Next race I am going to is Le Tour de Lankgawi. After that I'll have small pause for training and then I'll go to Criterium International and Giro del Trentino. With many climbs, this races will perfectly suite my strongest features. Also, on these races will be best climbers in the world and I'll be able to match my abilities with them which could tell where I am at the moment.
Me: With 22, you are among younger riders in the peloton. How do you feel because you don't have time for parties like your peers, who are not professional athletes?
TG: Before last year we were not so busy, there wasn't so much traveling, so I had time to spend with my friends and family. However, after winning Milan-San Remo we got some invitations so it is different. This is not good only for our team, but even for our careers, and of course, for African cycling. Still, when I am at home, I have time for my friends, no matter how busy I am.
