AL BUSTAN, Oman: Belgian Ben Hermans is the new leader of the Tour of Oman after winning Wednesday's 145km second stage.
The 30-year-old surprised a group of stage favorites with a late attack on a steep climb to the finish in Al-Bustan, with Portugal's Rui Costa second and Jakob Fuglsang of Denmark third.
Hermans was supposed to be helping his BMC team leader and compatriot Greg Van Avermaet, the Olympic champion, but jumped on his opportunity to claim victory.
"Greg was supposed to contest the sprint finish whereas me, I had a free role, in particular marking Romain Bardet. I tried my luck at the best moment 150 metres from the line," said Hermans, who succeeded Norway's Alexander Kristoff, winner of Tuesday's opening stage, as race leader.
Van Abermaet finished ninth with Bardet, second behind Chris Froome at last year's Tour de France, 10th.
All the favorites for overall victory, including Italy's seventh-placed Fabio Aru, winner of the 2015 Vuelta a Espana, finished in the top 10.
Thursday's 162km third stage is a hilly run from Sultan Qaboos University to Quriyat.
Results from the 145km second stage of the Tour of Oman around Muscat on Wednesday:
1. Ben Hermans (BEL/BMC) 3hr 20min 49sec, 2. Rui Costa (POR) same time, 3. Jakob Fuglsang (DEN) s.t., 4. Merhawi Kudus (ERI) at 4sec, 5. Nathan Haas (AUS) 7, 6. David De LA Cruz (ESP) s.t., 7. Fabio Aru (ITA) s.t., 8. Janier Acevedo (COL) s.t., 9. Greg Van Avermaet (BEL) s.t., 10. Romain Bardet (FRA) s.t.
Overall standings
1. Ben Hermans (BEL/BMC) 7hr 07:08, 2. Rui Costa (POR) 4, 3. Jakob Fuglsang (DEN) 6, 4. Merhawi Kudus (ERI) 14, 5. Nathan Haas (AUS) 17, 6. Fabio Aru (ITA) s.t., 7. Janier Acevedo (COL) s.t., 8. David De LA Cruz (ESP) s.t., 9. Matthias Frank (SUI) s.t., 10. Romain Bardet (FRA) s.t.
Selected others
12. Greg Van Avermaet (BEL) s.t.
Hermans rules Tour of Oman 2nd stage to take lead
Hermans rules Tour of Oman 2nd stage to take lead
