The Tour of Oman may be the most hilly stage-race in the Gulf, the opening stage shows nothing of the kind. On rolling roads the pack reaches an elevation of around 200 metres and since the final 25 kilometres are as flat as an icy lake sprinters will have something to dream about.
In the first Tour of Oman ever (2010), stage 5 left from today’s arrival-place Al Wutayyah, with Tom Boonen ending up as the day’s victor.
Last edition, the opening stage was a flat 164.5 kilometres from As Suwayq Castle to Naseem Garden. André Greipel took the flowers after he had been caught in the cross-winds with ten kilometres left.
The finish is expected around 15:30 local time.
Tour of Oman 2015 stage 1: Images and more
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