SEEB, Oman: Norwegian Alexander Kristoff won the third stage of the Tour of Oman in a sprint finish on Thursday, comfortably beating Dutchman Moreno Hofland and Belgian Roy Jans to the line.
Katusha man Kristoff’s season has started in a remarkably similar vein to last year, with replicate wins on stages two, four and five in Qatar, before this victory after a 176.5km ride to Naseem Park.
His compatriot Edvald Boasson Hagen, who was unlucky to lose the overall title in Qatar to Dimension Data teammate Mark Cavendish, still leads the overall standings by four seconds from former Tour de France champion Vincenzo Nibali.
Friday’s 177km fourth stage will see the peloton tackle an uphill finish on the “green mountain,” which is likely to be crucial in deciding the General Classification.
Bouhanni in red
French rider Nacer Bouhanni of Cofidis pulled on the leader’s red jersey after winning a sprint finish for the second stage of the Tour of Andalucia at Cordoba on Thursday.
Bouhanni crossed the finish line following the 186.3km stage ahead of Italy’s Fabio Felline (Trek) and Britain’s Ben Swift (Sky) for his first win of the year.
The 25-year-old stayed in touch with the leading peloton during the stage that was marked by a third category climb some 20km from the line.
Bouhanni takes the red jersey from Tinkoff rider Daniele Bennati of Italy, after he finished sixth in Wednesday’s opening stage at Seville.
The win follows a series of disappointments since January with five top-ten finishes for the former French champion.
Friday’s third stage covers 157.9 km between Monachil and Padul with three category two climbs, the final one 15km from the line.
Result of the third stage Tour of Oman from Al Sawadi Beach to Naseem Park:
1. Alexander Kristoff (NOR/KAT) 4hr 3min 22sec, 2. Moreno Hofland (NED/LNL) same time, 3. Roy Jans (BEL/WGG) s.t., 4. Mike Teunissen (NED/LNL) s.t., 5. Jean-Pierre Drucker (LUX/BMC) s.t., 6. Zico Waeytens (BEL/GIA) s.t., 7. Berden De Vries (NED/ROP) s.t., 8. Robin Stenuit (BEL/WGG) s.t., 9. Daniel Oss (ITA/BMC) s.t., 10. Edvald Boasson Hagen (NOR/DDD) s.t.
General Classification (after three of six stages)
1. Edvald Boasson Hagen (NOR/DDD) 11:52:53, 2. Vincenzo Nibali (ITA/AST) 4sec, 3. Greg Van Avermaet (BEL/BMC) 6sec, 4. Romain Bardet (FRA/ALM) 6sec, 5. Serge Pauwels (BEL/DDD) 8sec, 6. Rui Costa (POR/LAM) 10sec, 7. Jakob Fuglsang (DEN/AST) 10sec, 8. Domenico Pozzovivo (ITA/ALM) 10sec, 9. Davide Rebellin (ITA/CCC) 10sec, 10. Patrick Konrad (AUT/BOA) 16sec.
