February 15, 2013 (Boshar, Oman) – After possibly the greatest battle the Tour of Oman has ever witnessed, Red Jersey Christopher Froome captured his very first stage win, only just beating Contador to the line. The Brit therefore comforts his overall leadership with one day to go.

Stage 5: Al Alam Palace – Ministry of Housing in Boshar, 144 km
141 riders at the start, 1 non-starter: Sagan (CAN). Sunny, light wind

After yesterday’s demanding stage up to the GreenMountain, it was an early start for the 141 remaining riders of the Tour of Oman for stage 5 of the event. While former race leader and two-time stage winner Peter Sagan was forced to quit, ill, the pack took off just after ten o’clock for a 144kms ride to Boshar and the Ministry of Housing.

The race conditions were ideal. Cloud cover created cooler conditions than the preceding days, ideal for a cycling race and the difficult stage it would be. Is Excellency Sheikh Mohammed Al Wahibi, member of the Shura Council opened the 5th stage of the race from the gates of Al Alam Palace in the heart of Muscat.

With Chris Froome leading the Overall standing heading into this fifth day, the British supporters in Muscat began to take to the raod. “Most of the kids with me are from British school in Muscat – although not all British. They’re here to experience cycling. The Olympics has given them all a base of knowledge for sport. The all think it’s brilliant that they can meet Bradley Wiggins and Chris Froome here. It’s inspiring for the younger generation and exciting for the parents, too. We also have two little girls that have been interviewing the riders All of them have been great with there time. It’s really fantastic that this is on our doorstep.” Stated Helen Graham.

Abdullah Said Al Busaidi, aged 14 stated that he had persuaded his whole family to come down to the start line. ” I have always loved sport, but football has never held that much appeal and I became hooked on the Tour after last year. I hope this Tour provides inspiration to set up a proper cycling school as it is my dream that one day we have an Omani who could beat Contador.”

After a very fast start, 9 men broke away after 11 kilometres: Stybar, Trentin (both OPQ), Van Avermaet (BMC), Irizar (RLT), Hernandez (TST), Grivko (AST), Kuchynski (KAT), Minard (ALM) and Schillinger (TNE). At km 20, they could enjoy a 1’35 lead that grew to 2’45 at the first intermediate sprint (km 60.4), won by Stybar ahead of Minard and Kuchynski.

First at the top of the first climb of the day at Boucher Alamrat (km 102) was Hernandez in front of Stybar and Schillinger while the pack remained 2’35 adrift. On the second climb of the hill, the real battle between the favourites started. Again Hernandez was first to the top (km 116.5) in front of Stybar and Van Avermaet with a slim 15″ lead over Contador (TST) and 18″ over Froome (SKY).

All the breakaway riders were finally caught at km 120. On the third and final climb, Contador continued attacking, never quite getting rid of Froome, while Green Jersey Gallopin (RLT) and Wiggins (SKY) were dropped well behind. Three men managed to breakaway: Contador, Rodriguez and Froome reaching the top in that order. Their gap grew in their final descent heading back towards Muscat on a group of 7 men including Cadel Evans. With 3 kilometres left, the front three had a 20″ lead over the Evans group. It finally came down to a three-man sprint won by Froome, in front of Contador and Rodriguez, Evans crossing the finish line just 4″ adrift.

In the new overall standings, with one stage to go, Froome now has a 27″ lead over Contador and 39″ over Evans.

Suleiman bin Hamed Al Harthi, Head of Islamic Banking was the guest of honour at the finish line at the Ministry of Housing stating “to watch the battle across the line was exhilarating. The profile this race has given Oman is impressive and it is testament to the hard work of the organisers that the top riders all wanted to race here.”

Tomorrow’s sixth and final stage will will witness the race finale on the Matrah Corniche. Starting at HawitNagamPark in Quryat, at 1140 am the peleton will have one modest climb at Al Mishaf before heading back into town for a three lap circuit of the Corniche.

Results

1. Christopher Froome (Gbr) Sky Procycling 3:29:19
2. Alberto Contador Velasco (Esp) Team Saxo-Tinkoff
3. Joaquim Rodriguez Oliver (Esp) Katusha
4. Daryl Impey (Rsa) Orica-GreenEdge 0:00:04
5. Zdenek Stybar (Cze) Omega Pharma-Quick Step
6. Rinaldo Nocentini (Ita) AG2R La Mondiale
7. Johann Tschopp (Sui) IAM Cycling
8. Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing Team
9. Jesus Hernandez Blazquez (Esp) Team Saxo-Tinkoff
10. Domenico Pozzovivo (Ita) AG2R La Mondiale 0:00:08
11. Geoffrey Soupe (Fra) FDJ 0:00:34
12. Matti Breschel (Den) Team Saxo-Tinkoff
13. Daniele Ratto (Ita) Cannondale Pro Cycling
14. Philippe Gilbert (Bel) BMC Racing Team
15. Yannick Eijssen (Bel) BMC Racing Team
16. Marco Marcato (Ita) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team
17. Paul Voss (Ger) Team NetApp-Endura
18. Maxime Bouet (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale
19. Martin Elmiger (Sui) IAM Cycling
20. Peter Velits (Svk) Omega Pharma-Quick Step
21. Kenny Elissonde (Fra) FDJ
22. Tony Gallopin (Fra) RadioShack Leopard
23. Matthew Busche (USA) RadioShack Leopard
24. Matteo Trentin (Ita) Omega Pharma-Quick Step
25. Reto Hollenstein (Sui) IAM Cycling
26. Maciej Bodnar (Pol) Cannondale Pro Cycling
27. Andriy Grivko (Ukr) Astana Pro Team
28. Richie Porte (Aus) Sky Procycling
29. Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Astana Pro Team
30. Stephen Cummings (Gbr) BMC Racing Team
31. Alessandro De Marchi (Ita) Cannondale Pro Cycling
32. Michael Schär (Sui) BMC Racing Team
33. Greg Van Avermaet (Bel) BMC Racing Team
34. Guillaume Van Keirsbulck (Bel) Omega Pharma-Quick Step 0:01:51
35. Gianni Meersman (Bel) Omega Pharma-Quick Step
36. Andrea Pasqualon (Ita) Bardiani Valvole-CSF Inox
37. Nikias Arndt (Ger) Team Argos-Shimano
38. Arnold Jeannesson (Fra) FDJ
39. Andreas Schillinger (Ger) Team NetApp-Endura
40. Stijn Vandenbergh (Bel) Omega Pharma-Quick Step
41. Marco Canola (Ita) Bardiani Valvole-CSF Inox
42. Taiji Nishitani (Jpn) Japan
43. Marco Bandiera (Ita) IAM Cycling
44. Brent Bookwalter (USA) BMC Racing Team
45. Ryota Nishizono (Jpn) Champion System Pro Cycling Team
46. Markel Irizar Aranburu (Esp) RadioShack Leopard
47. Feng Chun Kai (Tpe) Champion System Pro Cycling Team
48. Jens Keukeleire (Bel) Orica-GreenEdge
49. Luka Mezgec (Slo) Team Argos-Shimano
50. Pavel Brutt (Rus) Katusha
51. Rob Ruijgh (Ned) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team
52. Peter Kennaugh (Gbr) Sky Procycling
53. Dario Cataldo (Ita) Sky Procycling
54. Sergey Lagutin (Uzb) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team
55. Sonny Colbrelli (Ita) Bardiani Valvole-CSF Inox 0:04:45
56. Brett Lancaster (Aus) Orica-GreenEdge
57. Kristijan Koren (Slo) Cannondale Pro Cycling
58. Niki Terpstra (Ned) Omega Pharma-Quick Step
59. Borut Bozic (Slo) Astana Pro Team
60. Roy Curvers (Ned) Team Argos-Shimano 0:08:07
61. John Degenkolb (Ger) Team Argos-Shimano
62. Boy van Poppel (Ned) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team
63. Joseph Lloyd Dombrowski (USA) Sky Procycling
64. Kristof Goddaert (Bel) IAM Cycling
65. Sébastien Minard (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale
66. Sébastien Hinault (Fra) IAM Cycling
67. Grégory Rast (Sui) RadioShack Leopard
68. Fumiyuki Beppu (Jpn) Orica-GreenEdge
69. Hayden Roulston (Nzl) RadioShack Leopard
70. Fabian Cancellara (Sui) RadioShack Leopard
71. Aliaksandr Kuchynski (Blr) Katusha
72. Yaroslav Popovych (Ukr) RadioShack Leopard
73. Anders Lund (Den) Team Saxo-Tinkoff
74. Matteo Tosatto (Ita) Team Saxo-Tinkoff
75. Bradley Wiggins (Gbr) Sky Procycling
76. Jonathan Fumeaux (Sui) IAM Cycling
77. Taylor Phinney (USA) BMC Racing Team 0:12:48
78. Gatis Smukulis (Lat) Katusha
79. Ramon Sinkeldam (Ned) Team Argos-Shimano
80. Tom Veelers (Ned) Team Argos-Shimano
81. David Boucher (Fra) FDJ
82. Dmitriy Gruzdev (Kaz) Astana Pro Team
83. Sam Bewley (Nzl) Orica-GreenEdge
84. Steve Chainel (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale
85. William Bonnet (Fra) FDJ
86. Nacer Bouhanni (Fra) FDJ
87. Elia Viviani (Ita) Cannondale Pro Cycling
88. Fabio Sabatini (Ita) Cannondale Pro Cycling
89. Murilo Antonio Fischer (Bra) FDJ
90. Jacopo Guarnieri (Ita) Astana Pro Team
91. Evan Huffman (USA) Astana Pro Team
92. Marko Kump (Slo) Team Saxo-Tinkoff
93. Arman Kamyshev (Kaz) Astana Pro Team
94. Christian Knees (Ger) Sky Procycling
95. Marcel Kittel (Ger) Team Argos-Shimano
96. Alexander Wetterhall (Swe) Team NetApp-Endura
97. Tom Stamsnijder (Ned) Team Argos-Shimano
98. Wouter Mol (Ned) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team
99. Valentin Iglinskiy (Kaz) AG2R La Mondiale
100. Baden Cooke (Aus) Orica-GreenEdge
101. Stijn Devolder (Bel) RadioShack Leopard
102. Vasil Kiryienka (Blr) Sky Procycling
103. Dmitriy Muravyev (Kaz) Astana Pro Team
104. Yuzuru Suzuki (Jpn) Japan
105. Andrea Di Corrado (Ita) Bardiani Valvole-CSF Inox
106. Marco Coledan (Ita) Bardiani Valvole-CSF Inox
107. Christian Delle Stelle (Ita) Bardiani Valvole-CSF Inox
108. Matt Brammeier (Irl) Champion System Pro Cycling Team
109. Gediminas Bagdonas (Ltu) AG2R La Mondiale
110. Tom Boonen (Bel) Omega Pharma-Quick Step
111. Matthew Harley Goss (Aus) Orica-GreenEdge
112. Blaz Jarc (Slo) Team NetApp-Endura
113. Alexander Kristoff (Nor) Katusha
114. Kohei Uchima (Jpn) Japan
115. Pirmin Lang (Sui) IAM Cycling
116. Erick Rowsell (Gbr) Team NetApp-Endura
117. Jens Mouris (Ned) Orica-GreenEdge
118. Wesley Kreder (Ned) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team
119. Zakkari Dempster (Aus) Team NetApp-Endura
120. Russell Downing (Gbr) Team NetApp-Endura
121. Daniele Bennati (Ita) Team Saxo-Tinkoff
122. Filippo Fortin (Ita) Bardiani Valvole-CSF Inox
123. Matthias Friedemann (Ger) Champion System Pro Cycling Team 0:13:23
124. Rudiger Selig (Ger) Katusha
125. Kenny Robert van Hummel (Ned) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team
126. Vladimir Isaichev (Rus) Katusha
127. Marco Haller (Aut) Katusha
128. Jang Chan Jae (Kor) Champion System Pro Cycling Team
129. Xu Gang (Chn) Champion System Pro Cycling Team
130. Bobbie Traksel (Ned) Champion System Pro Cycling Team
131. Markus Eichler (Ger) Team NetApp-Endura
132. Danny van Poppel (Ned) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team
133. Jonas Aaen Jörgensen (Den) Team Saxo-Tinkoff
134. Kazuhiro Mori (Jpn) Japan
135. Tomohiro Kinoshita (Jpn) Japan
136. Junya Sano (Jpn) Japan
137. Davide Appollonio (Ita) AG2R La Mondiale
138. Jiao Pengda (Chn) Champion System Pro Cycling Team 0:19:06
139. Yusuke Hatanaka (Jpn) Japan 0:20:55
DNF Guillaume Boivin (Can) Cannondale Pro Cycling  
DNF Dominique Rollin (Can) FDJ  
DNS Peter Sagan (Svk) Cannondale Pro Cycling

GC after Stage 5
1. Christopher Froome (Gbr) Sky Procycling 20:04:13
2. Alberto Contador Velasco (Esp) Team Saxo-Tinkoff 0:00:27
3. Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing Team 0:00:39
4. Joaquim Rodriguez Oliver (Esp) Katusha 0:00:50
5. Rinaldo Nocentini (Ita) AG2R La Mondiale 0:01:13
6. Johann Tschopp (Sui) IAM Cycling
7. Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Astana Pro Team 0:01:19
8. Kenny Elissonde (Fra) FDJ 0:01:34
9. Domenico Pozzovivo (Ita) AG2R La Mondiale 0:01:44
10. Maxime Bouet (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale 0:02:00
11. Daryl Impey (Rsa) Orica-GreenEdge 0:02:01
12. Zdenek Stybar (Cze) Omega Pharma-Quick Step 0:02:08
13. Yannick Eijssen (Bel) BMC Racing Team 0:02:09
14. Paul Voss (Ger) Team NetApp-Endura 0:02:21
15. Martin Elmiger (Sui) IAM Cycling 0:02:35
16. Stephen Cummings (Gbr) BMC Racing Team 0:02:39
17. Matthew Busche (USA) RadioShack Leopard 0:02:47
18. Geoffrey Soupe (Fra) FDJ 0:02:52
19. Andriy Grivko (Ukr) Astana Pro Team 0:03:00
20. Peter Velits (Svk) Omega Pharma-Quick Step 0:03:02
21. Philippe Gilbert (Bel) BMC Racing Team 0:03:04
22. Arnold Jeannesson (Fra) FDJ 0:03:25
23. Tony Gallopin (Fra) RadioShack Leopard 0:03:38
24. Michael Schär (Sui) BMC Racing Team 0:04:03
25. Marco Canola (Ita) Bardiani Valvole-CSF Inox 0:04:20
26. Sergey Lagutin (Uzb) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team 0:04:35
27. Andrea Pasqualon (Ita) Bardiani Valvole-CSF Inox 0:04:52
28. Greg Van Avermaet (Bel) BMC Racing Team 0:04:54
29. Rob Ruijgh (Ned) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team 0:05:10
30. Marco Marcato (Ita) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team 0:05:43
31. Pavel Brutt (Rus) Katusha 0:05:59
32. Feng Chun Kai (Tpe) Champion System Pro Cycling Team 0:06:08
33. Taiji Nishitani (Jpn) Japan 0:06:20
34. Matti Breschel (Den) Team Saxo-Tinkoff 0:06:57
35. Reto Hollenstein (Sui) IAM Cycling 0:07:11
36. Jesus Hernandez Blazquez (Esp) Team Saxo-Tinkoff 0:07:46
37. Ryota Nishizono (Jpn) Champion System Pro Cycling Team 0:07:55
38. Richie Porte (Aus) Sky Procycling 0:09:14
39. Gianni Meersman (Bel) Omega Pharma-Quick Step 0:09:18
40. Jens Keukeleire (Bel) Orica-GreenEdge 0:09:57
41. Dario Cataldo (Ita) Sky Procycling 0:10:17
42. Fabian Cancellara (Sui) RadioShack Leopard 0:11:08
43. Jonathan Fumeaux (Sui) IAM Cycling 0:11:23
44. Markel Irizar Aranburu (Esp) RadioShack Leopard 0:11:26
45. Daniele Ratto (Ita) Cannondale Pro Cycling 0:11:46
46. Stijn Vandenbergh (Bel) Omega Pharma-Quick Step 0:11:54
47. Matteo Trentin (Ita) Omega Pharma-Quick Step
48. Alessandro De Marchi (Ita) Cannondale Pro Cycling 0:12:09
49. Brent Bookwalter (USA) BMC Racing Team 0:12:13
50. Andreas Schillinger (Ger) Team NetApp-Endura 0:13:14
51. Sonny Colbrelli (Ita) Bardiani Valvole-CSF Inox 0:13:16
52. Luka Mezgec (Slo) Team Argos-Shimano 0:13:27
53. Marco Bandiera (Ita) IAM Cycling 0:14:02
54. Maciej Bodnar (Pol) Cannondale Pro Cycling 0:14:07
55. Hayden Roulston (Nzl) RadioShack Leopard 0:14:55
56. Guillaume Van Keirsbulck (Bel) Omega Pharma-Quick Step 0:15:04
57. Borut Bozic (Slo) Astana Pro Team 0:15:57
58. Fumiyuki Beppu (Jpn) Orica-GreenEdge 0:16:03
59. Aliaksandr Kuchynski (Blr) Katusha 0:16:19
60. Joseph Lloyd Dombrowski (USA) Sky Procycling 0:16:27
61. Yaroslav Popovych (Ukr) RadioShack Leopard 0:16:34
62. Kristijan Koren (Slo) Cannondale Pro Cycling
63. Brett Lancaster (Aus) Orica-GreenEdge 0:16:39
64. Kristof Goddaert (Bel) IAM Cycling 0:16:45
65. Boy van Poppel (Ned) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team 0:17:13
66. Niki Terpstra (Ned) Omega Pharma-Quick Step 0:17:48
67. Sébastien Hinault (Fra) IAM Cycling 0:18:18
68. Bradley Wiggins (Gbr) Sky Procycling 0:18:46
69. Nikias Arndt (Ger) Team Argos-Shimano
70. Peter Kennaugh (Gbr) Sky Procycling 0:19:02
71. John Degenkolb (Ger) Team Argos-Shimano 0:19:28
72. Sébastien Minard (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale 0:19:30
73. Taylor Phinney (USA) BMC Racing Team 0:19:34
74. Yuzuru Suzuki (Jpn) Japan 0:20:20
75. Junya Sano (Jpn) Japan 0:20:30
76. Roy Curvers (Ned) Team Argos-Shimano 0:21:17
77. Zakkari Dempster (Aus) Team NetApp-Endura 0:22:07
78. Grégory Rast (Sui) RadioShack Leopard 0:23:59
79. Andrea Di Corrado (Ita) Bardiani Valvole-CSF Inox 0:24:03
80. Steve Chainel (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale 0:24:08
81. Alexander Kristoff (Nor) Katusha 0:24:19
82. Pirmin Lang (Sui) IAM Cycling 0:24:31
83. David Boucher (Fra) FDJ 0:24:40
84. Gatis Smukulis (Lat) Katusha 0:24:49
85. Xu Gang (Chn) Champion System Pro Cycling Team 0:24:58
86. Fabio Sabatini (Ita) Cannondale Pro Cycling 0:25:01
87. Murilo Antonio Fischer (Bra) FDJ 0:25:29
88. Alexander Wetterhall (Swe) Team NetApp-Endura 0:25:32
89. Vladimir Isaichev (Rus) Katusha 0:25:44
90. William Bonnet (Fra) FDJ 0:25:46
91. Tom Boonen (Bel) Omega Pharma-Quick Step 0:26:17
92. Jiao Pengda (Chn) Champion System Pro Cycling Team 0:26:26
93. Sam Bewley (Nzl) Orica-GreenEdge 0:26:49
94. Ramon Sinkeldam (Ned) Team Argos-Shimano 0:27:05
95. Nacer Bouhanni (Fra) FDJ 0:27:18
96. Russell Downing (Gbr) Team NetApp-Endura
97. Gediminas Bagdonas (Ltu) AG2R La Mondiale 0:27:22
98. Markus Eichler (Ger) Team NetApp-Endura 0:27:33
99. Matteo Tosatto (Ita) Team Saxo-Tinkoff 0:27:36
100. Stijn Devolder (Bel) RadioShack Leopard 0:27:44
101. Dmitriy Gruzdev (Kaz) Astana Pro Team 0:27:51
102. Dmitriy Muravyev (Kaz) Astana Pro Team 0:28:07
103. Erick Rowsell (Gbr) Team NetApp-Endura 0:28:09
104. Arman Kamyshev (Kaz) Astana Pro Team 0:28:18
105. Christian Knees (Ger) Sky Procycling 0:28:32
106. Elia Viviani (Ita) Cannondale Pro Cycling 0:28:41
107. Wesley Kreder (Ned) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team 0:28:57
108. Davide Appollonio (Ita) AG2R La Mondiale 0:29:04
109. Danny van Poppel (Ned) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team 0:29:28
110. Rudiger Selig (Ger) Katusha 0:29:36
111. Blaz Jarc (Slo) Team NetApp-Endura 0:30:06
112. Wouter Mol (Ned) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team 0:30:09
113. Baden Cooke (Aus) Orica-GreenEdge 0:30:11
114. Daniele Bennati (Ita) Team Saxo-Tinkoff 0:30:28
115. Evan Huffman (USA) Astana Pro Team
116. Anders Lund (Den) Team Saxo-Tinkoff 0:30:30
117. Tom Stamsnijder (Ned) Team Argos-Shimano 0:30:54
118. Matt Brammeier (Irl) Champion System Pro Cycling Team 0:31:25
119. Jens Mouris (Ned) Orica-GreenEdge 0:32:23
120. Marko Kump (Slo) Team Saxo-Tinkoff 0:32:49
121. Matthew Harley Goss (Aus) Orica-GreenEdge 0:33:28
122. Kazuhiro Mori (Jpn) Japan
123. Valentin Iglinskiy (Kaz) AG2R La Mondiale 0:33:37
124. Marcel Kittel (Ger) Team Argos-Shimano 0:33:55
125. Marco Haller (Aut) Katusha 0:34:10
126. Tom Veelers (Ned) Team Argos-Shimano 0:34:39
127. Matthias Friedemann (Ger) Champion System Pro Cycling Team 0:34:42
128. Jacopo Guarnieri (Ita) Astana Pro Team 0:35:12
129. Jonas Aaen Jörgensen (Den) Team Saxo-Tinkoff 0:35:21
130. Kohei Uchima (Jpn) Japan
131. Jang Chan Jae (Kor) Champion System Pro Cycling Team 0:35:42
132. Christian Delle Stelle (Ita) Bardiani Valvole-CSF Inox 0:35:45
133. Marco Coledan (Ita) Bardiani Valvole-CSF Inox 0:35:47
134. Filippo Fortin (Ita) Bardiani Valvole-CSF Inox 0:35:49
135. Vasil Kiryienka (Blr) Sky Procycling 0:36:46
136. Kenny Robert van Hummel (Ned) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team 0:37:31
137. Tomohiro Kinoshita (Jpn) Japan 0:41:10
138. Bobbie Traksel (Ned) Champion System Pro Cycling Team 0:42:30
139. Yusuke Hatanaka (Jpn) Japan 0:48:17