Bob Jungels has won the opening stage of the Tour Of Oman.
A race which is only likely to have a future if this year's race is a success, got underway with a 145.5km stage from Oman Exhibition Centre to Al Bustan.
The 141 riders who included former Tour De France winner Vincezo Nibali, former world Champion Rui Costa, Irishman Dan Martin, sprinter Sam Bennett and British rider Mark McNally took on a stage of rolling terrain with shome short and steep climbs.
De Vries, Dehaes, Van Speybrouck, Peter Koning and Christoph Pfingsten of Bora Argon 18 formed the first break and they were six minutes ahead after seventeen kiloemetres and 4.38 ahead after fifty kilometres, forty two kilometres of which were raced in the first hour.
De Vries took the first sprint of the race ahead of Dehaes and Van Speybrouck and they were still 2.50 ahead with fifty kilometres left.
Into the headwinds and Koning and Deheas were dropped leaving the three out front with only a thirty eight second lead.
They were caught just before the first climb which saw Turgot go off on his own before Capriot took the second sprint.
The riders came all back together for the final five kilometres and a group of eighteen riders attacked.
Out of that came Bob Jungels of Etixx Quick Step and he took the win ahead of Pauwels and Bardet.