Daniel Moreno and Joaquim Rodriguez finished with the best riders in yesterday's tough stage of the Tour of Oman. The Katusha duo is now looking forward to today's queen stage to the Green Mountain.

Two riders of Russian team Katusha Daniel Moreno and Joaquim Rodriguez finished in the leading group of the 4th stage of the 2.HC stage race Tour of Oman.

The stage was won by Peter Sagan from Cannondale, with second place to Rigoberto Uran from Omega Pharma-Quick Step, and Vincenzo Nibali from Astana completing  the podium with third position. Daniel Moreno finished 6th; Joaquim Rodriguez was 12th.

"It was a good stage, which became a really nice test for us," Moreno said. The profile of the race can be compared with a classics race with a lot of short climbs, so we tested ourselves before the classics season. The weather was great, and the race has played out as we planned. At the finish Joaquim helped me in the sprint, so I took 6th position. The main thing is that my feelings during the stage were very good. It was quite impossible to get more in today’s stage, because the climbs were not tough enough, while the finish was a sprint."

The profile of the 4th stage (Wadi Al Abiyad – Ministry of Housing, 173 km) included 4 climbs, each around 3km long. The top of the final climb was situated with only 12 km to go. On this climb the breakaway of 4 riders was neutralized completely, while on the descent Peter Sagan, Vincenzo Nibali and Rigoberto Uran were the riders who tried to attack. It was a good try, but on the finish line the group of GC contenders, including Daniel Moreno and Joaquim Rodriguez, caught them. Sagan was able to stay in front and to win the stage.

"The main aim for today’s stage was to finish in the leading group and to get ready for tomorrow’s stage," Rodriguez said. "The team did a perfect job, so I felt the support from the side of my teammates during the entire stage. I was in good shape, so we passed the stage calmly and confidently. It was impossible to get any serious advantage in today’s stage, so when Sagan, Nibali and Uran attacked I preferred to remain in the leading group. Finally, we caught them. The crucial stage will come tomorrow – I am motivated to reach a good result."

After 4th stage Peter Sagan is the new overall leader. Joaquim Rodriguez and Daniel Moreno are 18 seconds back from the leader with 18th and 21st positions, respectively.

Today will be the day of the queen stage – 147,5 km to the famous Green Mountain.