United Arab Emirates:  UAE Team Emirates’ fast man Fernando Gaviria rounded off a perfect team performance at the Tour of Oman by claiming his second victory of the season at the final stage in Muscat, beating Kaden Groves (BikeExchange Jayco) and Amaury Capiot (Arkea Samsic) in a fiercely contented bunch sprint.

 

Gaviria’s win came at the end of a 132.5km route from Al Mouj Muscat to the Matrah Corniche, which UAE Team Emirates controlled throughout. As the stage neared its end, Gaviria was guided into the finishing straight by a well drilled lead out train and dropped off with 100m to go by Max Richeze, before unleashing an explosive sprint finish that out classed his rivals. 

 

As well as winning Stage 1 and Stage 6, the Columbian has shown consistent form throughout the race, earning him the Points Classification jersey, to go alongside his stage victories.

 

Meanwhile, former World Champion Rui Costa was able to hold onto his position in the GC after finishing safety in the bunch and stepped up onto the podium to claim third in the overall classification.

 

Gaviria: “I’m really happy for this win in the last stage of the Tour of Oman. It’s a great victory for me and the team because they worked so hard today. They controlled the race all afternoon and in the final part of the stage they put me a great position and thankfully I had the legs to finish off the bunch sprint”

 

The overall team performance, as well as Gaviria’s form, will give the squad a lot of confidence as they move onto their next major objective: The UAE Tour (20 – 26 Feb). Gaviria will be the team’s protected rider in the sprint stages, whilst both Tadej Pogacar and Joao Almeida will pose a threat to the GC.

 

1. Fernando Gaviria (UAE Team Emirates) 4:10:16”

2. Kaden Groves (BikeExchange Jayco) st

3. Amaury Capiot (Arkea Samsic) st

 

1. Jan Hirt (Intermarche Wanty Gobert) 22:35:43”

2. Fausto Masnada (Quick Step Alpha Vinyl) + 1:00”

3. Rui Costa (UAE Team Emirates) +1:16”