Rafael Valls Ferri won the 2015 edition of the Tour de Oman. The Spanish rider from Lampre-Merida beat Tejay van Garderen by 9 seconds and Alejandro Valverde by 19 seconds, giving his team the first success in the Tour of Oman after the team won the Tour of Qatar in 2003

In 2015, Lampre-Merida have celebrated victories in three different continents: in addition to the Asian success of Valls, Davide Cimolai won the Trofeo Laigueglia in Europe and Tsgabu Grmay won the continental time trial title in Africa.

In the last stage of Tour de Oman, Valls defended the red jersey he had taken on Friday on the Green Mountain. The stage had become crucial especially after the 5th stage had been cancelled because of a sandstorm and extreme heat.

Lampre-Merida's riders rode close to Valls for the entire stage and allowed 4 riders who were not dangerous for the overall classification, to escape from the bunch and to reach the finish.

BMC and Movistar, the teams of van Garderen and Valverde, tried to prepare some attacks but Lampre-Merida avoided the problems and sport director Philippe Mauduit could celebrate an amazing victory with his ride. The race wa also positive for Rui Costa who finished 11th in his season debut.

“This victory makes me so happy, I want to share my joy with my team mates and with the team’s staff members. I received from them a huge support," Valls explained. Today's stage put pressure on our team, but the things went in the best way for us. The four attackers were far from the top of the classification and they prevented my direct opponents from taking bonus seconds. In the final part of the stage, the strong headwind helped us to neutralize the attacks.

"I’m glad I can give the victory of the TOur de Oman to my team and to the sponsors.

“These have been three dream days, and this is the apotheosis. It is a reward for the past four or five difficult years that I have experienced. I have proved to myself that I can ride at the level I had before. It gives me a lot of confidence.”

 Rafael Valls Ferri was born in Cocentaina (Spain) in 1987.. He turned pro in 2010 and he joined Lampre in 2014. Before the victories in Oman, he had obtained the success in the Mirador del Potrero stage in the 2010 Tour de San Luis.