Tim Merlier sprints to Stage 1 Victory at the Tour of Oman
Belgian National Champion Tim Merlier and his new leadout team at Soudal-Quick-Step delivered him to the front of the opening stage of Tour of Oman to sprint to Victory
The stage started with a 3 man breakaway; Jeroen Meijers (Terengganu Polygon Cycling Team) being the last to be caught and becoming the first mountain's classification leader, he was caught within the last 15 kilometres of the finish.
The sprinters teams set up a fast pace for their sprinters into the last hill on the stage which ended in a bunch sprint.
In the last km Mark Cavendish's team Astana Qazaqstan,, took control of the lead out until the last 500 meters where Soudal-Quick-Step managed to get to the front and launch Merlier for the win.
Tim Merlier won ahead of David Dekker (Arkéa-Samsic) who finished second and Axel Zingle (Team Cofidis) in third place.
With this victory Merlier becomes the leader of the Tour of Oman and pulled on the Red Jersey.
VIDEO: 2023 Tour of Oman Stage1 Final Sprint
2023 Tour of Oman Stage1 Top 10
1 BEL MERLIER Tim Soudal Quick-Step 20 03:31:00
2 NED DEKKER David Team Arkéa-Samsic 15 + 00
3 FRA ZINGLE Axel Cofidis 10 + 00
4 BEL MARIT Arne Intermarché-Circus-Wanty 5 + 00
5 NOR HALVORSEN Kristoffer Uno-X Pro Cycling Team 3 + 00
6 GER ACKERMANN Pascal UAE Team Emirates + 00
7 GBR WALLS Matthew BORA-hansgrohe + 00
8 DEN SALBY Alexander Bingoal WB + 00
9 GER KANTER Max Movistar Team + 00
10 GER SELIG Rüdiger Lotto Dstny + 00