American Matteo Jorgenson attacks on Jabal Haat to take Tour of Oman lead

Another explosive uphill sprint finish in Tour of Oman, this time American Matteo Jorgenson of Movistar Team was the strongest, launching a powerful attack on the last 200 metres to win atop Jabal Haat and take the race lead

Former race leader Jesus Herrada was dropped in the upper slopes of Jabal Haat after several attacks reduced the peloton down to just 9 riders.

American Jorgenson has become the new leader in the general classification.

Three riders from pro continental teams formed the day's breakaway, they weere caught with around 7 kilometres to go before the final climb.

On the approach of the final climb a battle for positioning saw teams trying their best to put their GC riders at the front of the peloton.

Louis Meintjes (Intermarché - Circus - Wanty ) was the first to attack thinning the pelotn to aroud 35 riders. Rein Taaramae (Intermarché - Circus - Wanty )  was the next tp attack and reduce the bunch further.

As temperatures touched 30C, Jesús Herrada (Cofidis) is dropped from the reduced bunch.

Coming into the final km, Matteo Jorgenson launched a powerful attack to thin the group to around 9 riders and  attacked again with 200m to go to take the 3rd stage.

Behind Mauri Vansevenant (Soudal-Quick-Step) was secind and and Cristian Rodriguez (Arkéa-Samsic) was third.

Several riders from the front group collapsed with heat exhausion on the finish line after temperatures hit 30C.

Matteo Jorgenson said afterwards, "It's a super special day, a huge relief. I'm not a rider used to win so much, I honestly thought a day like this would never happen, and today I could get that pressure off and open my account. I'm so thankful to the team for their work. They always kept me in great position, covered from the wind. Mathias and Imanol at the start; Max completed a perfect leadout into the foot of the climb; then, my Pan-American friend, Abner González, from Puerto Rico, who rode so strong over the last few days despite coming right from PR and his jet-lag. I knew from the previous day's stage that I had really good legs, and I wanted to test my rivals on the final slope. It took a second for them to make it back, I knew I was strong, then I launched my sprint with 200 meters to go. This gives me great confidence on my condition, to be the strongest on such an effort, though I know Green Mountain will be quite a longer climb and, more importantly, harder. I'm hoping we can control the situation well; help Max out tomorrow, so he can claim his own first pro win; and try and defend this leader's jersey on Wednesday."

VIDEO: 2023 Tour of Oman Stage 3 Highlights

2023 Tour of Oman Stage 3 Top 10

1  JORGENSON Matteo Movistar Team 3:33:51
2  VANSEVENANT Mauri Soudal - Quick Step 0:02
3  BOUCHARD Geoffrey AG2R Citroën Team 0:03
4  RODRÍGUEZ Cristián Team Arkéa Samsic 0:03
5  UIJTDEBROEKS Cian BORA - hansgrohe 0:03
6  LANGELLOTTI Victor Burgos-BH 0:03
7  TEJADA Harold Astana Qazaqstan Team 0:07
8  ULISSI Diego UAE Team Emirates 0:09
9  VAN GILS Maxim Lotto Dstny 0:11
10  HERRADA Jesús Cofidis 0:16

2023 Tour of Oman GC after Stage 3

1  JORGENSON Matteo Movistar Team 11:25:48
2  VANSEVENANT Mauri Soudal - Quick Step 0:06
3  BOUCHARD Geoffrey AG2R Citroën Team 0:14
4  ULISSI Diego UAE Team Emirates 0:15
5  VAN GILS Maxim Lotto Dstny ,,
6  HERRADA Jesús Cofidis 0:16
7  LANGELLOTTI Victor Burgos-BH 0:18
8  UIJTDEBROEKS Cian BORA - hansgrohe ,,
9  RODRÍGUEZ Cristián Team Arkéa Samsic ,,
10  TEJADA Harold Astana Qazaqstan Team 0:22