Sagan Wins The Tour Of Oman Third Stage

Last updated : 13 February 2013 By Kev Monks

Race Leader Peter Sagan won the third stage of the Tour Of Oman this afternoon.

The longest stage of the race at 190km saw the peloton set off from Nakhal Fort to Wadi Dayqah Dam and for the third day running, CSS' Bobby Traksel was an escaper along with Jiang (CSS), Hantanaka (JPN) and Delle Stelle (BAR) who got away.

They had built up a lead of 7.30 after 30kms over the peloton which included race leader Peter Sagan who has a 5.3 second lead over Tony Gallopin and had added another minute by the time, Traksel took the first sprint of the day, some seven kilometres later.

This meant that Delle Stelle who started the day in 89th place, some 2.21 down was now the leader on the road and still out in front when the escapers reached the slopes of the day's climb at Bousher Alamrat.

Stelle got away on the climb and was first over the summit, building a fifty second lead on the other three before a crash took down British rider Russell Downing who fortunately, was soon back up and safely in a peloton which was still four minuutes down.

Traksel was swallowed up by the peloton on the descent well before the second sprint of the day after 143.5km which Stelle won. 

With 172kms gone, the day's break was over and Team Sky moved four riders to the front looking to get Chris Froome who had started in sixth placed higher up the General Classification.

With five to go, Orica's Brett Lancester attacked on undulating roads and built up an eight second lead before being caught two kilometres later.

BMC took over at the front as Omega Pharma Quick Step's Tom Boonen was dropped as was Sir Bradley Wiggins and Matt Goss.

Up came Peter Sagan and the race leader took his second successive victory in the Tour Of Oman, beating Van Avermaet, Gallopin,  Contador and Marcato.

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Sagan continues to lead the General Classification ahead of Gallopin and Van Avermaet.

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