Tour of Oman Stage 4 came down to some of the strongest GC riders in the peloton on Thursday. As a breakaway — with no riders from Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team — was caught on Green Mountain, the race became animated.
Green Mountain, which averages 10% but has two kilometers of 13% gradient, left many riders dropped, and a very select group in contention. Joaquin Rodriguez (Katusha) won the stage, with Chris Froome (Sky ProCycling) placing 2nd and Cadel Evans (BMC Racing Team) finishing 3rd. Froome was the only rider able to follow Rodriguez, and he is the new race leader after finishing 4 seconds behind Rodriguez.
Zdenek Stybar was the top OPQS finisher of the tough stage, placing 19th. Peter Velits, who was 9th in the GC at the start of the stage, finished 23rd.
OPQS looks next to 144km Stage 5. The peloton ascends Bousher Alamrat three times, and there are two intermediate sprint sections. The final kilometers go from a descent into a very slight uphill finish.