Another podium for Katusha Team and Denis Galimzyanov: after the second position in the last stage of “Tour of Qatar”, the Russian sprinter reached the same result in the first stage of “Tour of Oman”, from Al Alam Royal Palace to Wadi Al Hoqay, 159-km long. Galimzyanov got again close to the victory, but this time Andrè Greipel (Lotto-Belisol) crossed the line for first;
Tyler Farrar (Garmin-Barracuda) completed the podium in third place. Katusha Team was protagonist of an attacking race, thanks to the early breakaway of Mikhail Ignatyev: the Russian individual time trial 2011 champion left the main group together with Danilo Wyss (BMC), Pengda Jiao (Champion System) and Alexandre Lemair (Bridgestone). The breakaway reached a 5’30” maximum gap. When the other riders gave up to the main group chase, Ignatyev tried the blitz for a solo breakaway: his action was
surprising, but the group was able to catch him with a few kilometres to go With the group in lock step, all Katusha Team’s riders worked well, staying ahead of the group and imposing their pace: in the end Galimzyanov was defeated for a mere nothing by Greipel.
“I’m satisfied with my performance – said Galimzyanov – obviously I’d rather win but I did my best: I stayed at Farrar’s wheel and started my sprint with 80 metres, I was able to pass him but I couldn’t do much more to defeat Greipel. He was the fastest today, so he deserved to win: but I can be satisfied because the last km was not
easy, it was a little uphill with a not so strong headwind, so not the best condition for a pure sprinter. Again I have to thank my teammates: in the end Selig, Isaychev and Kristoff did a great job, imposing our pace and taking me to the best possible position in order to fight for win. I’m glad with my shape too: I’m not 100%, but I’m
working well to improve day by day”.
“Today all the team worked well – said the Head of Sports Directors Valerio Piva – we took a great result today with Denis: all the world’s best sprinter are here in Oman, so a second place is really a good performance. Now he has the shirt for the best young rider: he will try to keep it until the end, even though it’s not easy. Also Ignatyev, today, did a great job: he did a determined attack, keeping the first position alone for more than 15 kilometres. If we continue this way, soon we will be at the highest place of the podium for sure”.