Mauri Vansevenant misses stage victory in Oman

The third stage was again a hilly ride with about 1600 vertical meters along the way, where the steep finish would be decisive. The climb to Jabal Haat, 4.6km at 8.5%, was trickier than Sunday’s finish, where Herrada won, and fed more long-winded climbers. After the early breakaway with one compatriot, Johan Meens, was picked up just before the climb, it was a matter of waiting for the first uphill attack. That took a while due to the fast pace of BORA-hansgrohe.

Louis Meintjes opened the debates, but was outflanked. An attack by Matteo Jorgenson was more successful and he thinned out the peloton of the favorites, leader Herrada fell away at the front. In the sprint with a select group, Jorgenson also started first and won with a clear margin ahead of Vansevenant, who was two seconds behind.

Jorgenson is also the new leader in the standings, six seconds ahead of Vansevenant.