Nibali Seizes Lead in Oman

Feb 19, 2016 – Former Tour de France champion Vincenzo Nibali won Friday’s fourth stage to take the race leader’s red jersey of the Tour of Oman. The Italian Astana rider claimed victory by nine seconds over Frenchman Romain Bardet in the 180km ‘Green Mountain’ stage from Knowledge Oasis Muscat to the climb of Jabal al-Akhdhar.

AFP/Kåre Dehlie Thorstad

In the overall standings, Nibali has a 15sec lead on Bardet with two stages remaining. The Italian, who also won on Jabal al-Akhdhar in 2012, said: “The first time was completely different because I attacked from the foot. Today I had to keep my nerve and wait until the end.”

Jakob Fuglsang of Denmark, Nibali’s team-mate, was third while previous race leader Edvald Boasson Hagen, the Norwegian, finished 10th, 1min 10secs behind the stage winner.

Saturday’s penultimate fifth stage is a shorter 119.5km ride from Yiti to the Ministry of Tourism.

Final kilometers of Stage 4

Results Stage 4:
1. Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Astana Pro Team 4:25:48
2. Romain Bardet (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale 0:00:09
3. Jakob Fuglsang (Den) Astana Pro Team 0:00:12
4. Tom Dumoulin (Ned) Team Giant-Alpecin 0:00:18
5. Rui Costa (Por) Lampre – Merida 0:00:38
6. Merhawi Kudus (Eri) Dimension Data 0:00:43
7. George Bennett (NZl) Team LottoNl-Jumbo
8. Brendan Canty (Aus) Drapac Professional Cycling 0:00:45
9. Floris De Tier (Bel) Topsport Vlaanderen – Baloise 0:01:08
10. Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor) Dimension Data 0:01:10

General Classification:
1. Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Astana Pro Team 16:18:35
2. Romain Bardet (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale 0:00:15
3. Jakob Fuglsang (Den) Astana Pro Team 0:00:24
4. Tom Dumoulin (Ned) Team Giant-Alpecin 0:00:40
5. Rui Costa (Por) Lampre – Merida 0:00:54
6. Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor) Dimension Data 0:01:16
7. Brendan Canty (Aus) Drapac Professional Cycling 0:01:31
8. Domenico Pozzovivo (Ita) AG2R La Mondiale 0:01:38
9. Merhawi Kudus (Eri) Dimension Data 0:01:41
10. Gianluca Brambilla (Ita) Etixx – Quick-Step 0:01:59