Australian Caleb Ewan took control of the Cycling Tour of Oman by winning in the sprint at the end of the first stage run on Saturday.
The Jayco AlUla rider, who signs the 61st victory of his career, beat the Frenchman Bryan Coquard and the Norwegian Alexander Kristoff.
Aged 29, Ewan, who averages six victories per season, is coming out of a disappointing 2023, with only one success under his belt.
The profile of the other four stages of the Tour of Oman hardly suited him, the finish judged in front of the Oman Exhibition and Convention Center was his only card to play in the event.
“I'm really happy to have won because it was my only opportunity here, so we really had to take it
,” he commented.
“My start to the season had not been great (...), the pressure was starting to mount
,” he continued, relieved.
The French neo-professional Paul Magnier, 19, confirmed the hopes placed in him by taking fifth place in the stage, two weeks after his inaugural victory during the Mallorca challenge.
Ranking of the first stage
1. Caleb Ewan (AUS/Jayco AlUla the 177 km in 4h23:28.
2. Bryan Coquard (FRA/Cofidis)
3. Alexander Kristoff (NOR/Uno-X)
4. Gleb Syrista (RUS/Astana)
5. Paul Magnier (FRA/Soudal-Quick Step) all at the same time
General classification
1. Caleb Ewan (AUS/Jayco AlUla) 4:23:18.
2. Bryan Coquard (FRA)Cofidis) at 0:04.
3. Oscar Pelegri-Ferrandis (ESP/Burgos-BH) 0:05.
4. Polychronis Tzortzakis (GRE/Roojai) 0:05.
5. Alexander Kristoff (NOR/Uno-X) 0:06.