Monday 29 / April / 2024
New Zealand’s rider Finn Fisher-Black of UAE Team Emirates clinched the second edition of Muscat Classic title at Al Bustan on Friday. The 19-year-old champion completed the 147.3 km from Al Mouj Muscat to Al Bustan in four hours and 17 minutes and 11 seconds. The Kiwi youngster finished in 3rd place at the Saudi Tour one week ago.
“It was really great to have a strong start and win this triumph in Muscat following the third place in Saudi Tour last week. It is special occasion for me as I grabbed this victory. The competition was very tough specially in the last climb in the race. It tested all the riders’ technical capabilities a lot and we could manage to finish in the top of the competitors,” the winner said.
“The weather was very good, and the overall condition of the race were suitable for me. I am looking for more victories in this week as Tour of Oman will start on Saturday,” he ended.
Luke Lamperti from USA of Soudal Quick-Step finished as runners up after he completed the race distance in plus four hours and Belgian Amaury Capiot of Arkéa – B&B Hôtels came in third place with 4’’ hours and claimed the prize of the third place.
“It was really hard day, but the team worked very really good despite the challenges. It was nice to win the Sprint and we were looking to get some victories but happy with second. We will try our level best in the rest of the week at Tour of Oman to get a win despite the expected tough competition,” Luke said.
“Many top riders will take part in the Tour of Oman including some former winners who were in the podium at last edition. I think we will have good chances in the race, and we very excited for the kickoff the race,” he ended.
The champion of Muscat Classic showed how far his budding talent can lead him with a thrilling solo victory in the second edition of the new product represented by Muscat Classic race. The Kiwi youngster dropped everyone with a strong attack on the final bumps of the day with 5 kilometers to go. A small group gave everything to get back in the final run-in to the finish in Al Bustan. However, there was no containing the New-Zealander, powering to sweet victory after he already showed his strong legs in the tour (3rd overall). Another rising talent, Luke Lamperti (Soudal Quick-Step) was the fastest from a very reduced bunch to take 2nd ahead of Belgium’s Amaury Capiot (Arkéa-B&B Hotels).
“The first part of the race was very easy but the following part with mountains was really hard. The last 5 km featured some jabal street with hard climbs. This does not allow us to write the victory as we gave all our power in the first part. We are looking for better shows in Tour of Oman,” Belgian Amaury Capiot said.
At the end point of the race, Saif Subaa Al Rushaidi, Chairman of Oman Cycling Association (OCA) and chief guest delivered the awards to the top winners in the last stage of the race in Al Bustan.
Opening Route of 2024 Tour of Oman
The riders will face new battles in the opening route of Tour of Oman 2024 on Saturday as they will begin from Oman Across Ages Museum until Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre (OCEC) with a distance of 181.5 km.
