2017 Tour of Oman, 14-19/02 (2.HC)

[Flamin]

Stage 1: Al Sawadi Beach > Naseem Park (176,5k)

Stage 2: Nakhal > Al Bustan (145,5k)

Km 38.0 - CLIMB OF FANJA - 1 kilometre-long climb at 9.5%

Km 96.0 - CLIMB OF BOUSHER AL AMERAT (KOM) - 3.4 kilometre-long climb at 8.8%

Km 123.0 - CLIMB OF AL HAMRIYAH (KOM) - 0.8 kilometre-long climb at 9.8%

Km 140.0 - CLIMB OF AL JISSAH (KOM) - 1.4 kilometre-long climb at 9%

Stage 3: Sultan Qaboos University > Quriyat (162k)

Km 33.0 - CLIMB OF BOUSHER AL AMERAT (KOM) - 3.4 kilometre-long climb at 8.8%

Km 162.0 - QURIYAT - 2.8 kilometre-long climb at 6.5%

Stage 4: Yiti (Al Sifah) > Ministry of Tourism (118k)

Km 31.0 - CLIMB OF AL JISSAH (KOM) - 1.4 kilometre-long climb at 9%

Km 38.0 - CLIMB OF AL WADI AL KABIR (KOM) - 1.9 kilometre-long climb at 6.3%

Km 75.0 - CLIMB OF BOUSHER AL AMERAT (KOM) - 3.2 kilometre-long climb at 6.8%

Km 89.0 - CLIMB OF BOUSHER AL AMERAT (KOM) - 3.4 kilometre-long climb at 8.8%


Stage 5: Sama’il > Jabal Al Akhdar/Green Mountain (152,5k)

Stage 6: The Wave Muscat > Matrah Corniche (130,5k)

START LIST

Rather poor field compared to previous years. Likely suffering from Abu Dhabi moving to February and being World Tour.

Bardet vs Rui Costa vs Kudus vs Aru for the overall. Van Avermaet should be able to win a stage if his shape is good.

 

[May0maniac]

Yes, those guys should be the ones to fight for the overall victory, Taaramäe could surprise people.
Max Walscheid to win at least one stage.

 

[Escarabajo]

Is it me or are those profiles a bit exaggerated?

 

[Valv.Piti]

Inspiring parcours as usual. Really looking forward to this week.

 

[Flamin]

Re:

Is it me or are those profiles a bit exaggerated?

Dunno, but it's the same climbs every year.

 

[Nirvana]

With this poor field could be something like in 2011 when unexpected riders got a good result also on Jabal al Akhdhar (Boasson Hagen was second, van Avermaet sixth, Albasini eight, Flecha ninth, Cancellara eleventh).

They also cut the climb compared to last year, less than five kilometres (they said 5.7 but the first one looks like a false flat if the profile is correct) instead of seven.

 

[barmaher]

I assume they will be showing live HD coverage of this race on multiple platforms, so we get a chance to see cycling against a backdrop of police brutality, torture and arbitrary arrests of those suspected of being political dissidents?

Or will they make us wait 24 hours to ensure none of that stuff is happening in the background before we watch the races?

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re:

I assume they will be showing live HD coverage of this race on multiple platforms, so we get a chance to see cycling against a backdrop of police brutality, torture and arbitrary arrests of those suspected of being political dissidents?

Or will they make us wait 24 hours to ensure none of that stuff is happening in the background before we watch the races?

As far as I know, Eurosport will only broadcast Algarve and Andalucia live this upcoming week. I

 

[Pentacycle]

Re:

With this poor field could be something like in 2011 when unexpected riders got a good result also on Jabal al Akhdhar (Boasson Hagen was second, van Avermaet sixth, Albasini eight, Flecha ninth, Cancellara eleventh).

The result says nothing about what actually happened. IIRC echelons were formed that year, dropping Rodriguez and plenty of other candidates off the back.

 

[argyllflyer]

Re:

I assume they will be showing live HD coverage of this race on multiple platforms, so we get a chance to see cycling against a backdrop of police brutality, torture and arbitrary arrests of those suspected of being political dissidents?

Or will they make us wait 24 hours to ensure none of that stuff is happening in the background before we watch the races?

Yep never shown live and this year it's hard to see who's even showing highlights outside of the Middle East.

 

[Red Rick]

Disappointing field for a very good route. I think it could use a short TT, but then there's only 5 stages with only a single sprint stage, so I can't really complain

 

[barmaher]

The first and last stages are sprint stages, no?

 

[Dazed and Confused]

The lineup looks good to me. Go Taaramae.

 

[Flamin]

Re:

The first and last stages are sprint stages, no?

Yes.

 

[BigMac]

Oil team wins oil race

 

[Red Rick]

Yeah I failed there

 

[postmanhat]

Cycling weekly are apparently showing daily highlights

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re:

Cycling weekly are apparently showing daily highlights

Good news - thanks!

Considering the countless articles on Cyclingnews (5 or 6 during the winter) on how well prepared Bardet is, how serious and how much he is playing attention to detail etc., he should take the win relatively comfortably on Green Mountain. Aru is mostly a GT-rider and the rest doesn't have the level. Maybe Rui Costa will be able to do something on the hilly stages?

 

[ThePirate81]

Final GC prediction
1 Bardet
2 Fuglsang
3 Kudus
4 Rui Costa
5 Aru

 

[Jspear]

Re:

Final GC prediction
1 Bardet
2 Fuglsang
3 Kudus
4 Rui Costa
5 Aru

Swap out Fuglsand with Costa and that's why I'm guessing.

 

[Flamin]

The norwegian beast wins.

Edit: and Boonen hits the deck though seems to be unharmed.

 

[LoSqualo]

Beautiful stage design, too bad we can't see this live. The quality of the finish video was so bad but Kristoff with a nice win! Hopefully his spring campaign will be better than last year.

 

[LoSqualo]

Sonny Colbrelli 3rd after a puncture 10km from the finish line. Curious what he will do in the Flemish races this spring!

 

[Alexandre B.]

I'll watch Guillaume Martin in this race.

 

[Tonton]

I like the course: there should be some good racing.

My picks...

1. Bardet
2. Aru
3. Costa

I agree with Alexandre: Martin could do quite well.