MUSCAT: Bahrain’s Ahmed Naser of Victorious Club rode to victory in 4 hours 31 minutes in the second stage of Tour of Salalah from Sadah to Hajeef for 148 km on Monday.
Slovakian rider Grega Bole of Shabab Al Ahli Dubai Cycling Team repeated his second position in the first stage to take the leader’s golden jersey after the two stages of the four-stage Salalah Tour. Bole came home in 04:32:11.
UAE national team’s Abdulla Jasim al Ali (04:32:11) bettered his fourth place in the opening stage to third in the second stage. The Emirati teenager got the white jersey for the best young rider.
Dutch cyclist Kenny Nijssen of Universe Cycling Team finished fourth in the race of 68 cyclists.
First stage winner Algeria’s Hamza Yassin led the overall points classification to take the green jersey sponsored by the Oman Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth.
Tom Wijf Je took the grey jersey for the most aggressive rider and Universe Cycling Team led the team classification.
Mundher al Hasani was the best-placed Omani rider with a 15th place finish (04:42:30).
On Tuesday, the third stage covers 104 km from Al Haffa Souq to Wadi Darbat.
HAMZA CLAIM OPENING HONOURS
Algerian national team’s Yacine Hamza clocked three hours five minutes and eight seconds to claim the opening stage of Tour of Salalah 2023 on Sunday.
Robin Fischer of Storck-Metropol Cycling came second (03:05:10), while Grega Bole of Shabab Al Ahli Cycling Team finished third on 03:05:56.
On fourth was UAE’s Abdulla Jasim al Ali (03:05:56) and Campo Schmitz (03:06:00) of Storck-Metropol claimed the fifth spot.
For hosts Oman, top finishers were former OCA League winner Said al Rahbi at 12th (03:06:50) and Mohammed al Wahibi at 13th (03:07:02).
As many as 75 riders were in action for the 123km first stage from Khor Rori to Ayn Ishat.
Tour of Salalah Stage 2 results
Read as position, rider, country, team, timing
1. Ahmed Naser (Bahrain) VIC 04:31:00
2. Grega Bole (Slovakia) SAD 04:32:11
3. Abdulla Jasim al Ali (UAE) UAE 04:32:11
4. Kenny Nijssen (Netherlands) UNI 04:32:11
5. Eusebio PB (Spain) VIC 04:34:44
6. Marc Clauss (Germany) TSM 04:34:44
7. Campo Schmitz (Germany) TSM 04:36:07
8. Jacob Buikj (Netherlands) UNI 04:36:52
9. Abdulla al Hammadi (UAE) UAE 04:38:14
10. Azzedine Lagab (Algeria) Algeria 04:38:25
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