Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas-Cannondale) has won the mountainous fifth stage of the Tour of Oman.
The Italian, winner of the 2010 Vuelta a Espana, finished ahead of Peter Velits (Omega Pharma-QuickStep) who now leads the race.
Nibali’s victory marks his return to the winner’s circle after a barren 2011.
“It’s a wonderful feeling that I was dying to experience again. A year without winning wasn’t easy to stomach: I knew I’d given it all I had as you can see from my performances, but I couldn’t say I was completely satisfied without a win. Now I hope to go on a winning streak again, maybe like in 201,” said Nibali.
The Italian launched two attacks at the foot of the climb of Green Mountain, the decisive feature on the 158km stage from the Royal Opera house in Wilayat Boshar to al Jabal Al Akhdar In Wilayat Nizwa.
Searing temperatures prompted race officials to allow teams to pass bottles to their riders until eight kilometres from the finish, a relaxation of the normal 20 kilometre rule.
Vellits said he had focussed on the general classification during the closing kilometres of the stage. He leads from Nibali by one second.
“When I crossed the line it was fantastic to hear that I’d taken the red jersey. This is the first leader jersey of my career. I’m over the moon. The work we’ve done during the winter is repaying us now.
“Also today the team was fantastic and they really went for me during the stage! I’m really proud of our race. Tomorrow the race will finish in a circuit. I hope that nothing big will happen. We will see,” he said.
Tomorrow’s sixth and final stage is a 130.5km flat run from Al Khawd to Matrah Corniche which should suit the sprinters, among them Mark Cavendish, who has yet to open his account in Oman after two stage victories in the preceding Tour of Qatar.
Tour of Oman stage five
1) Vincenzo Nibali (ITA) – Liquigas-Cannondale 4:43:47
2) Peter Velits (SVK) – Omega Pharma-Quickstep
3) Sandy Casar (FRA) – FDJ-Big Mat + 25”
4) Arnold Jeannesson (FRA) – FDJ-Big Mat + 30”
5) Tony Gallopin (FRA) – RadioShack-Nissan + 37”
6) Tom Jelte Slagter (NED) – Rabobank Cycling Team + 47”
7) Joaquin Rodriguez Oliver (SPA) – Katusha Team +55”
8) Thomas Lebas (FRA)- Bridgestone Anchor + 57”
9) Fabian Cancellara (SUI) RadioShack-Nissan + 61”
10) Ramunas Navardauskas (Ltu) Garmin – Barracuda + 62
General classification
1) Peter Velits (SVK) – Omega Pharma-Quickstep 18:20:58
2) Vincenzo Nibali (ITA) – Liquigas-Cannondale + 1”
3) Tony Gallopin (FRA) RadioShack-Nissan + 17”
4) Sandy Casar (FRA) FDJ-Big Mat + 21”
5) Arnold Jeannesson (FRA) FDJ-Big Mat + 30”
6) Tom Jelte Slagter (NED) Rabobank Cycling Team
7) Joaquin Rodriguez Oliver (SPA) Katusha Team + 47”
8) Ramunas Navardauskas (LTU) Garmin – Barracuda +49”
9) Thomas Lebas (FRA) Bridgestone Anchor + 50”
10) Fabian Cancellara (SUI) RadioShack-Nissan + 52”
