🗣️ « We had a plan to hopefully sprint with me or Magnier … » @luke_lamperti 🇴🇲 #MuscatClassic
Finn Fisher-Black 'didn't want to lose in the sprint again', Lamperti has 'mixed feelings' about second place
CyclingFriday, 09 February 2024 at 12:28
Finn Fisher-Black won the Muscat Classic on Friday afternoon, the appetizer for the Tour of Oman (February 10-14). The 22-year-old New Zealander broke away on the final, steep climb of the day and finished solo. Luke Lamperti won the sprint from the chasing group ahead of Amaury Capiot.
"I was feeling really good beforehand," the Kiwi reflected afterwards. "I had already caught good form from the Tour Down Under and especially from last week in the AlUla Tour, and I had really good legs in the finale. Adam Yates brought me forward on the last climb of the day, and I just went for it. When I looked back and saw no one was there, it was a good sign. I knew I had to arrive solo because I didn't want to lose in the sprint again, like in the AlUla Tour (against Simon Yates and William Junior Lecerf; ed.)."
"Every meter you stay ahead increases your chance of winning, and even two hundred meters from the finish, you consider the scenario that they could still catch you. Eventually, I held on and I'm happy with this victory. It's a warm-up for the Tour of Oman, where I'm working for Yates and Diego Ulissi."
Lamperti left with 'mixed feelings' about second place
Fisher-Black then held his lead and crossed the finish line solo. In the chasing group, Lamperti was the fastest ahead of Capiot and Coquard, who saw victory slip through his fingers once again. Dark horse Francesco Busatto finished one place worse than last year, taking fifth place.
"I was surprisingly feeling good so early in the season," Lamperti commented to the organizers. "The team was strong all day long, and we had a plan to go for the sprint with either me or Paul Magnier. On the last climb, a rider from UAE was very strong and managed to create a gap at the top, which we couldn't close on the descent. Winning the sprint then gives me mixed feelings. You might think that if that rider hadn't been ahead, I could have won, but that's racing for you. We can still be satisfied and proud of the second place, and it gives us confidence for the rest of the week," concluded the 21-year-old American from Soudal-Quick Step.
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Latest Comments
- Well explained, thanks for the clarity! Daniel DantasDanieldantas20-12-2024
- This is the kind of 'news' that belongs in a cheap tabloid. No matter how boring the offseason gets, nobody wants to read this.
santiagobenites19-12-2024 - I wish we could have seen him try. He'd absolutely get dropped before Pogi overtakes his domestiquesVeganpotter10-12-2024
- Talk is cheap! Next year barring crashes with a healthy team... all well be on track! Some need to talk to make a headline!mootman27-11-2024
- I do not see this event listed on HBO Max Sports Online? Can anyone confirm? Thanks!
MrYuck23-11-2024 - It seemed that he was focusing forward at the time of the crash, after seeing a quick video snippet. But one thing I think he should focus on more intently is breaking a bad habit he has, right now. And that is his constant looking over his shoulders. He does that so much, that I am very sure it is not good for him. Simply watch videos of the greats of CX and you will see very little of that constant looking over their shoulders. That is a behavior that betrays a bit of insecurity on his part. He shouldn't be so concerned, incessantly, about what is over his shoulder. He needn't worry they didn't all disappear. He neds to keep his focus more ahead of himself, and he needs to pay a bit more attention to himself, in a confident manner. It is very frustrating to watch, because it is apparent that he has a lot of potential, and is in much better shape thwan many of his competitors, but the mental game needs to be sharpened more, because that part of strategy plays a huge part in the final results
reemmo022-11-2024 - hahahaha love this shit! I didnt even watched the race, but reading all the gossip articles of how stupid this is!Zatoichi19-11-2024
- Van Aert is really handsome. He can influence me all day! Ditto for Philipsen. Why do you think many of us love cycling?: to see heroic attempts at climbing mountains at high altitudes or to watch speedsters sprint for the finish line or to watch a human being ride at break neck speed down a tricky descent? No, it's all about their lean physiques and muscular legs. (apologies for objectifying these dedicated and amazing athletes).BarwonHeadsUp25-10-2024
- It is unfortunate that the author can't feel the joy that Pogacar brings to the sport and his fans who are legion and I for one feel lucky to have watched such a memorable performance and historic season From the Strada until yesterday with multiple wins in stages in both tours and beyond dominance in the World's. He is proud to wear the Rainbow stripes, shows his leadership to protect his fellows and is as courteous and sportsman-like as the sport allows. He goes early to not have to respond to each attack as all the rest would make him do it. Any racer who could would do the same. Don't "grow tired" of greatness as it is always fleeting.ccrider13-10-2024
- What load of rubbish. Pog is likely a once in a generation cyclist, the like of which hasn't been seen since 'the Cannibal '. How many people were complaining that Merckx was making racing predictable? I remember this year's World RR as one of the most exciting I've watched. Mainly BECAUSE Pog was the favourite and launched what everyone thought (Pog included) was a suicidal attack with 80km to go. For the next 2 hours, I was on the edge of my seat thinking "this is too much, even for Pog". Maybe Zonnefeld prefers the snooze-fest that is a bunch sprint? Like most people I know, I can't watch two hours of the bunch riding very fast... I wait for the final 5km and watch just the sprint. In any event, most races are won from a sprint or lone break. What difference does it make who makes the lone break? Ultimately, the other contenders will have to figure out a way to beat Pog. Even if that means collaboration between teams. It's going to be an exciting few seasons, until the next Pog arrives on the scene. If this is boring, heaven knows what exciting looks like!Michael513-10-2024