A heart-stopping finale for the second stage of the Tour of Oman, which saw Louis Vervaeke of Soudal Quickstep arrive solo. His decisive attack on the final climb gave him an advantage over his companions.

Second place went to Valentin Paret Peintre (Soudal Quickstep), with Sean Flynn (Team Picnic Postnl) in third. Best Italian was Davide De Pretto in seventh place.

On the final straight, just 50 meters from the finish line, we witnessed a massive group crash that involved, among others, Nicolò Garibbo.

The nearly 202 km route from Al Rustaq Fort to Yitti Hills provided excitement from the very beginning, thanks to an undulating course with 4 mountain passes to tackle. Immediately after the start, a series of attacks began, with the decisive breakaway forming after about ten kilometers, involving 5 athletes: Magnus Kulset (Uno-X), Rodrigo Alvarez (Burgos), golden jersey holder Richard Kane (Roojai Insurance), Mohammed Al Wahibi, and Mundher Al Hasni (Oman National Team).

On the first climb of the day at Fanja (1 km at 9%), the group literally exploded, and Xabier Mikel Axparren (Q36.5) and Louis Vervaeke (Soudal Quickstep) broke away, later rejoining the lead group (which had meanwhile lost Al Hasni) on the false flat section.

Valentin Madouas (Groupama FDJ) and Urluis Aular (Movistar Team) were long in pursuit of the race leaders but never managed to catch them.

On the Jabal Road climb (already tackled yesterday and at the Muscat Classic), only Vervaeke, Axparren, and Kulset remained at the front, maintaining a lead of up to 5 minutes over the group.

In the final 10 km, just before the last climb's attack, Vervaeke put the pedal down, saying goodbye to his breakaway companions and managing to maintain a lead of about 1'30" over a group unable to close the gap.

After today's victory, Vervaeke will wear the red leader's jersey with a 5" lead over Valentin Paret Peintre (Soudal Quick Step).

Tomorrow, the Omani race will restart from Fanja, heading to Eastern Mountain after 180 km.

To be updated