Caleb Ewan Claims Victory in Opening Stage of 2024 Tour of Oman

Muscat, The Gulf Observer: In a thrilling start to the 13th edition of the Tour of Oman, Australian rider Caleb Ewan of the Jayco Al Ula team emerged victorious in the opening stage, showcasing his prowess at the 181.5 km race that commenced at the Oman Across Ages Museum in Manah and concluded at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Center.

Caleb Ewan, 30, secured a remarkable win, navigating the challenging race course with finesse to clinch the red jersey for finishing the race in the shortest time, clocking an impressive four hours, 23 minutes, and 28 seconds. This triumph marked Ewan’s first victory of the season, a moment he described as special, expressing his satisfaction with the win and anticipation for future races.

The sprinter, known as the “Pocket Rocket,” exhibited his speed and skill in the mass gallop at the end of Stage 1, triumphing over competitors Bryan Coquard (Cofidis) and Alexander Kristoff (Uno-X Mobility) in a closely contested sprint to the finish line in front of the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Syritsa Gleb from the Astana Kazakhstan team claimed the white jersey as the best young rider, showcasing promising talent in the early stages of the Tour. Meanwhile, Oscar Pelegri Ferrandis of Burgos-BH team secured the golden jersey, earning recognition as the most active and aggressive rider during the race, thanks to his lead in the first sprint and securing the second position in the subsequent sprint.

The awards ceremony was graced by Mohsin Hani al Bahrani, CEO of the Automotive, Construction Equipment, and Renewable Energy cluster in MHD, who presented the top winners with their well-deserved accolades. Also in attendance were Sheikh Faisal bin Humaid Al Qasimi, President of the Arab Cycling Federation, and Saif bin Sebaa al Rushaidi, Chairman of Oman Cycling Association, along with several other dignitaries.

Looking ahead, the Tour of Oman continues with its second stage on Sunday, covering a distance of 170.4 km from As Sifah to Qurayat. The stage promises additional challenges with climbs in Arqi, setting the stage for further exciting competition in this prestigious cycling event.