Tour of Oman 2017 – Stage 2 Preview
By David Hunter
Nakhal – Al Bustan 145.5km
After the sprinters had their fun in stage 1, it’s time for the GC boys to come out fighting.
The last 20km of the stage can be described as rolling. The riders are faced with three main climbs:-
Bousher Al Amerat – 3.4km at 8.8%.
Al Hamriyah – 800m at 9.8%.
Al Jissah – 1.4km at 9%.
That final climb is the real leg breaker, coming after a tough period of riding. It is a very long straight road and just seems to continue rising. Once crested, there is a 5km descent to the finishing line.
Last year, Bob Jungels managed to attack on the descent and solo his way to success. As the front group will be very small, it’s tough to hold it together for a reduced bunch sprint. For that to happen, one team needs three riders, that is unlikely to happen.
Contenders
Romain Bardet – will not be dropped on the climb and loves descending. Any move made by the French rider will be closely followed by his GC rivals. That doesn’t make it impossible for him to escape, but it won’t be easy. He also packs a good sprint, if a small group comes to the line together.
Greg Van Avermaet – has to start the stage as the favourite. He will be slightly concerned with the final climb, if the GC boys attack each other, he won’t like the changes in tempo. Looking at his squad, he should be able to count on the support of Ben Hermans in the closing kilometres. If BMC can manage to get one more rider into that front group, they will be able to shut down all the attacks and let GVA sprint for the stage. That has to be their plan!
Rui Costa – already has a win to his name in 2017. The former world champion won the Queen stage in Vuelta San Juan, an excellent beginning for his new team. He won’t be dropped on the climb and has the best sprint of the climbers in this race. He knows that Van Avermaet will beat him in a sprint, so expect to see Costa attacking on the climb and descent.
Bob Jungels – won this stage in 2016 and looks a good option for another win. If he gets a gap on the descent, it’s all over for the rest of the field. Jungels possesses an engine every rider would love to have. He should be here to try and challenge on GC, a time bonus on this stage would help.
Nathan Haas – can he make it to the end? Haas is riding at a higher level than every before. He was brilliant in the TDU and should still be carrying that form into this race. If he can cope with Willunga Hill and the Paracombe climb, he should be fine for this stage. Dimension Data should also have numbers in the group, with Lachlan Morton and Merhawi Kudus unlikely to be dropped. The team have a good chance of success.
Jacob Fuglsang – Astana should have the Dane and Fabio Aru in the front group. That will give them two options to attack with as we come to the end of the stage. Neither rider will win a sprint, but they can take the win if they attack on the descent.
Prediction Time
Has to be Greg Van Avermaet for me. I see him winning a small bunch sprint.
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