Robert Gesink (Belkin) ended the Tour of Oman with a fine 5th place in a field that contained most of the best grand tour riders in the world. He has now set his sights on another strong showing in the Tirreno-Adriatico.

The Tour of Oman ended yesterday with Belkin Pro Cycling Team's Robert Gesink fifth overall behind winner Chris Froome (Sky). He protected his lead in the hectic final stage that saw team sprinter Barry Markus suffer. 

Markus said, "I wasn't fresh enough to sprint anymore after a day like that."

The staged circled around the city on the Matrah Corniche, covering 146.5 kilometres. André Greipel (Lotto-Belisol) won the stage, Markus finished outside the top 10.

The riders battled as soon as the stage rolled out of As Sifah. In the first ninety kilometres they covered two climbs that split the group.

"It was going full speed, a few groups developed. They closed the gap immediately. It was full gas until 90 kilometres to go, afterwards three men broke free and Lotto and Sky controlled it," Sports Director Jan Boven said.

"We wanted to protect Robert's overall lead but also have Barry sprint. In the first 90 kilometres he lost ground twice, the peloton was in five groups. They came back after a fight. They also had to face a little climb in the final kilometres and I think it was a little too hard for Barry. He was not fresh enough."

Jetse Bol protected his Belkin team-mate throughout the stage. He bridged from group to group with Markus in tow. Boven praised his work.
 

Tirreno Several of Belkin's green and black boys head to race Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne next weekend. Gesink circled Tirreno-Adriatico, March 12 to 18, on his calendar. After the Tour Down Under, it is his second WorldTour stop and important for the team.

"I think that this sets me well for Tirreno," Gesink said. "I'll follow it up with high intensity and time trial work to be ready. I did Australia and this and am trying to build up to Tirreno. My form is clearly coming along well."