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Winner Liquigas-Doimo team rider Daniele Bennati of Italy (centre), third place team Sky rider Edvald Boasson Hagen (left) and second-place Garmin-Transitions team rider Tyler Farrar pose on the winners’ podium after the first ever Tour of Oman cycling race from Nizwa to Samayil yesterday. PICTURE centre: The pack of riders cycles during the second stage of the Tour of Oman cycling race from Nizwa to Samayil yesterday. PICTURE RIGHT: Riders cycle during a break away in the second stage of the Tour of Oman yesterday. — Reuters

Muscat — The second stage of the Tour of Oman moved from Muscat into the interior to show the international teams the beauty of the Sultanate. Italy’s Daniele Bennati captured the day’s victory after a final bunch sprint in the streets of Samayil. The red jersey for the leader of the general classification goes from the shoulders of Jimmy Casper to those of Edvald Boasson Hagen. Eight Omani cyclists joined part of the Tour for the stage led by Ahmed Saif al Rahbi who was ranked 7th in last year’s GCC Tour.

After a spectacular first stage on the Corniche, the ancient towns of Samayil and Nizwa welcomed the riders of the first Tour of Oman. Cyclists adorned in their team jerseys created a true world-class atmosphere as they passed with their convoy and hundreds of spectators again lined the route waving to the teams as they sped past at speeds of up to 50 km/per hour. Three BMX bike riders also entertained the crowds at the finish line in Nizwa with their handling of the bikes and high jumps creating a festival atmosphere for both the public and the international teams.

Ali Humaid al Saidi, Head of the Sports Individual and Groups under the Ministry of Sports Affairs was extremely proud that eight Omani up and coming cyclists had the honour of accompanying the pack and join the start line of this leg. “Our local team learnt a lot from joining the Tour for the initial part of this historic race and they have benefited greatly from this experience. They are now much more experience in the tactics of how to handle these racing bikes and how to change gears while moving in a tightly formed pack at high speeds.

The team are so proud to have these world class cyclists on Omani soil and to be able to rub shoulders and interact with cyclists of this calibre.” On the day’s menu: 148.5 km of riding all the way to Samayil. The first breakaway occurred after only 2 kilometres when Sergent (TLS) broke away, but the New-Zealander was rapidly caught back by the pack. Five kilometres later, four riders took off: Gastauer (ALM), Stewart (BMC), Vandewalle (TSV) and Dowset (TLS). From then on the pack led by the Saur-Sojasun team of red jersey Casper started moving closer to the escapees.

Time then for the strong teams to start preparing for a bunch sprint on the last lap of a circuit designed around Samayil. The pack remained together all the way to the line where Daniele Bennati (LIQ) proved to be the fastest. In impressive fashion, the Italian beat Farrar (GRM) and Boasson Hagen (SKY) to claim stage 2 of the event. Thanks to precious seconds captured on the line, Boasson Hagen, who finished second in the opening stage, took over the race lead from yesterday's winner, Jimmy Casper and clinches the overall leader’s red jersey as well as the green and white jerseys.

First and third of the day’s intermediate sprint, Kristof Vandewalle conquers the red, green and white jersey for combativeness. The Wali of Samayil Khalifa bin Hamed al Saadi also expressed his praise of the which passed through Samayil and neighbouring villages. “This is a worthy event as it encourages the young and others to exercise. Our streets were lined with school students, parents and excited youths creating a festive atmosphere with an Omani folklore band, dancers, recital of poetry also taking place. We look forward to welcoming them back next year.” Stage Three will be now be a 125km race from Sifat Ak Sheikh to Quriyat, starting at 1pm.