Gaudu’s three strong accelerations enough to beat defending champion Yates on steep final climb in Oman

David Gaudu won the third stage of the Tour of Oman. The French rider from Groupama-FDJ was the strongest on the steep final sections of Eastern Mountain, skilfully keeping defending champion Adam Yates (UAE Team Emirates—XRG) behind him. Gaudu is also the current leader, as Louis Vervaeke, despite wearing the leader's jersey, repositioned himself in his domestique role and lost first place in the GC.

On Saturday, Olav Kooij won the first stage of the Tour of Oman, but his lead in the GC was short-lived. In the tricky second stage, the Dutch sprinter from Visma | Lease a Bike had to let the peloton go, and it was early breakaway rider Louis Vervaeke surprised the peloton and thus took his first professional victory.

The 31-year-old Belgian maintained a slight lead over his competitors in stage three, where his skills were immediately tested. This stage finished after a relatively flat ride on top of Eastern Mountain. At first glance, this slope is not very difficult, with 4.7 kilometers at 7.6 percent, but the last two kilometers are insanely steep. So, it would really be the first test for the GC riders.

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Vino junior starts first on final climb

Six men tried their luck in the tricky stage, but of that leading group, only two remained. Nicolas Vinokourov (XDS Astana) and Rayan Boulahoite (TotalEnergies) were the only professional riders of the six and were quickly too strong for their companions. The Kazak and French rider kept steadily going, but the peloton, under the leadership of Soudal Quick-Step and UAE Team Emirates-XRG, stayed close. But not too close, as the pair had 2:30 minutes left in the final 10 kilometers.

Vinokourov broke away from his co-favorite just before the final climb. As a result, the 22-year-old Kazak started the final climb first, but his advantage had shrunk to under two minutes. The run-up to the final climb was ferocious, and the XDS Astana rider saw his advantage vanish into thin air. Thanks to GC leader Vervaeke, who sacrificed himself for his leader Valentin Paret-Peintre.

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Gaudu kept going full speed on steep slope

With 2.5 kilometers to go, the young Kazak's adventure was concluded, and Vervaeke could not keep up. So we would have a new leader anyway. Under speed from Groupama-FDJ, the peloton broke, and a slight favorite group remained. David Gaudu was the first to show himself. Initially, he failed to break free, but the second acceleration was significant. Adam Yates nestled onto the wheel, but Cian Uijtdebroeks, Chris Harper, and Paret-Peintre were also along for the ride. It fell silent again for a while, but a third attack by the French rider was too much for many.

The little climber rode impressively away from his competitors, and only Yates could return. He sneaked up to the French rider's wheel in the final meters, but the latter proved too strong in the sprint. Yates finished second just behind him, ahead of a strong Damien Howson. With the victory, Gaudu also takes over Vervaeke's lead.

Results of stage 3 Tour of Oman

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