ORICA-GreenEDGE wrapped up the Tour of Oman with a quiet day on the road for the sixth and final stage today.
Mitch Docker was the team’s highest finisher on the punchy stage into Mattrah Promenade in 42nd with Cameron Meyer highest on general classification in 28th.
Matthias Brandle (IAM Cycling) was the final day victor from the week’s only successful break, whilst Rafael Valls (Lampre – Merida) held onto his overall lead courtesy of his stage four win atop Green Mountain.
“The final today was exactly the same as the day that (Fabian) Cancellara won,” sport director Laurenzo Lapage said.
“I had the feeling that teams BMC, Movistar and Tinkoff - SaxoBank would make it hard from 40km to go to isolate Valls and to try to win the overall.
“That's why I asked the guys not to go for the early break but to wait for the last hour. In the end, nothing happened and the overall victory wasn’t threatened.”
Within the first 10km of today’s racing, Jef Van Meirhaeghe (Topsport Vlaandeen – Baloise) initiated another break for the Tour, escaping alongside Iljo Keisse (Etixx – Quickstep), Danny Pate (Team Sky) and Brandle.
Each sitting over 20minutes off the pace and of no threat to the overall standings, the quartet was allowed to establish an advantage of over nine minutes.
The chase began with 50km left to ride but fell one minute 16seconds short.
Lapage wrapped up the week’s racing as a good test for the outfit.
“We knew before coming here that for a lot of the guys this was the last step of preparation for the season,” Lapage said.
“We tried to go for a good result with Cam but the Green Mountain climb was too steep for him to go with the best climbers.
“I would say that the guys did great work here and that they are ready now for the races in Europe.”
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