The Queen stage finish atop Green Mountain made for a challenging stage four of the Tour of Oman today.

Rafael Valls (Lampre – Merida) conquered his more fancied rivals for the victory whilst Pieter Weening was the top ORICA-GreenEDGE finisher in 27th position.

Starting the day just ten seconds off the pace overall, West Australian Cameron Meyer was the protected rider but suffered a tough day on the bike and was unable to respond when the fireworks began on the final ascent.

“Cam was our chance for a good overall so we didn't chance anything during the stage,” sport director Laurenzo Lapage said.

“The boys did the job I asked them to do. Cam was not on a good day and couldn't finish off the work. That's cycling. This is not the first time this happens and it will not be the last time.”

The day’s first move of four riders lasted just until the first intermediate sprint, where sprint leader Andrea Guardini (Astana Pro Team) took maximum points and then withdrew from the break with Jef Van Meirhaeghe (Topsport Vlaanderen – Baloise).

Their counterparts, Vandenbergh and Van Hoecke, continued alone and established the biggest break of the Tour at almost 15minutes with 100km to ride.

But as the shake up on Green Mountain drew closer, the climbers sent their teammates to the fore of the peloton and the duo’s day in front was over at the bottom of the climb with 10km to the finish ready for the final ascent fireworks.

Tomorrow’s penultimate stage is a relatively flat affair before a finishing circuit featuring a short and punchy climb. Riders will tackle the circuit climb on four occasions.