Greg Van Avermaet takes the third stage and lead at the Tour of Oman

The Flemish cyclist finished ahead of Rui Costa  (UAE Team Emirates) and Alexey Lutsenko (Astana) on the final climb atop Wadi Dayqah Dam

The stage started with a breakawy from Loic Chetout  (Cofidis, Solutions Crédits),   Xander Meurisse  (Wanty - Groupe Gobert),   Wouter Wippert  (Roompot - Nederlandse Loterij) and  Nick Schultz  Caja Rural - Seguros RGA) and gained a lead of over 2 minutes on the peloton

The first to attack from the breakaway was Dutchman Wippert on the climb of Quriyat. Chetout dropped out, leaving Meurisse and Schulz in front. Their breakaway was in vain as the pleoton lead by race leader  Nathan Haas  (Team Katusha - Alpecin) chased.

On the final climb it was Team Astana who set the pace up Wadi Daiqah dam , reducing the peloton to around 50 riders.

The undulating final was very fast and several teams took on the front before the last kilometer, where BMC Racing took control.

Greg Van Avermaet proved to be in the best condition in the final sprint, in 2013  on the same finish line of Wadi Dayaqh Dami he was second behind Peter Sagan.

Behin the leaidng group Vincenzo Nibali finished 17 seconds down. 

Greg Van Avermaet took over the GC with the stage win.

VIDEO: 2018 Tour of Oman Stage 3 Summary

2018 Tour of Oman Stage 3 Top 10