MUSCAT: Movistar hero Matteo Jorgenson ended his three-year wait for a professional victory by claiming the third stage of Tour of Oman 2023 with a powerful uphill sprint at Jabal Haat.
The young American also took the red jersey to lead the Tour standings after finishing the 151.8 km stage in three hours 33 minutes and 51 seconds. Belgium’s Mauri Vansevenant (+02, Soudal Quick-Step) was second and France’s Geoffrey Bouchard (+03, AG2R Citroen) claimed third. Vansevenant (+06) and Bouchard (+14) repeated their positions to follow Jorgenson (11:25:48) in overall standings.
The 23-year-old climber capitalised on the steepest sections leading to an unprecedented finish in Al Hamra.
Jorgenson said: “It is a super special moment, it really is. A huge moment, a relief. Those things start to cross your mind; maybe I am not the type of rider that can win, but today I proved that to myself.”
“It was mostly about legs; that climb was steep at moments, and I wanted to test everyone. It took a second or so for the others to get back to me so I knew I had the legs. We made it to the sprint, and I didn’t look back. The team did well, we stayed in front all day. All in all, just a really nice day!”
Overnight leader Jesus Herrada of Cofidis was in the fray until the last 4.6 km when the Spanish puncheur was left behind as Jorgenson gained some acceleration.
With 300 metres to go, Jorgenson timed his sprint for the line perfectly and this turn of pace secured victory. Vansevenant had to settle for second and Bouchard for third.
Alexey Lutsenko (Astana Qazaqstan) tried his bit in the final phase but the two-time Tour of Oman winner could only end up at 13th.
PUSHED TO LIMITS
Stage 3 pushed the riders to their limits with a series of climbs and descents starting from Al Khobar and twisting through the foothills of Jabal Al Akhdar past the towns of Samail, Izki and the outskirts of Nizwa before ending in Jabal Haat just outside Al Hamra – a total distance of 151.8km.
Jorgenson’s gritty performance earned him the Individual time and points awards as well as ‘Best Young Rider’ jersey. Dutchman Jeroen Meijers (Terengganu Polygon Cycling Team) won ‘Most Active Rider’ for the third day in succession.
Meijers said, “our main tactic is to get me in the breakaway, and it is then up to me to beat the others in the sprints. The Tour is very well organised, the roads are excellent, and we are very happy to be here. This is the first time the team has competed in Oman. It is very hot when you’re riding with no shade, and tomorrow I will try to save my energy over the long distance and aim to finish strongly.”
Oman’s Said al Rahbi, who was among the five aggressive starters from Al Khobar, dropped back to the bunch during the uphill section 45km into the stage.
Stage 4 on Tuesday kicks off close to Monday’s finishing line in Izki, heading towards Al Jarda and through the Al Hajar Mountains to Bidbid and Fanja. The field will enter Muscat close to Sultan Qaboos University and travel through Al Mawaleh and Bausher to Al Wattayah and the hills of Al Jissah. After a series of turns around Qantab and Yitti, the riders will race for the line at Yitti Hills.
Tuesday’s penultimate stage is the longest of the entire Tour of Oman 2023, a total of 204.9km in which the peloton face another explosive finish on the Yitti Hills.
TOUR OF OMAN STAGE 4 RESULTS
1. Matteo Jorgenson (USA) Movistar Team 03:33:51
2. Mauri Vansevenant (BEL) Soudal Quick-Step + 02
3. Geoffrey Bouchard (FRA) AG2R Citroën Team + 03
4. Cristian Rodriguez (ESP) Team Arkea-Samsic + 03
5. Cian Uijtdebroeks (BEL) BORA-hansgrohe + 03
6. Victor Langellotti (MON) Burgos-BH + 03
7. Rein Taaramae (EST) Intermarche-Circus-Wanty + 03
8. Harold Tejada (COL) Astana Qazaqstan Team + 07
9. Diego Ulissi (ITA) UAE Team Emirates + 09
10. Maxim Van Gils (BEL) Lotto Dstny + 11
GENERAL CLASSIFICATION
1. Matteo Jorgenson (USA) Movistar Team 11:25:48
2. Mauri Vansevenant (BEL) Soudal Quick-Step + 06
3. Geoffrey Bouchard (FRA) AG2R Citroen Team + 14
4. Diego Ulissi (ITA) UAE Team Emirates + 15
5. Maxim Van Gils (BEL) Lotto Dstny + 15
6. Jesus Herrada (ESP) Cofidis + 16
7. Rein Taaramae (EST) Intermarche-Circus-Wanty + 18
8. Victor Langellotti (MON) Burgos-BH + 18
9. Cian Uijtdebroeks (BEL) BORA-hansgrohe + 18
10. Cristian Rodriguez (ESP Team Arkea-Samsic + 18
PICS by ASO-Oman Cycling Association Pauline Ballet.
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