01:59The peloton rolled out this morning with the majestic backdrop of Al Rustak Fort, a pre-Islamic fortification and a sentinel to Oman's history.
02:09All along the route, we saw the traditional Armani dress of the white dishdash. Flags were out and the classic Armani conditions as well. Bright sunshine, temperatures hovering around 26 degrees and a slight breeze, but not enough for any echelons.
02:24Two previous winners were in amongst the peloton. Diego Ullisi won on this finish in 2023, as you just heard, and Amory Capio in 2024. Both times from a small group. Last year, though, on this finish in Yeti Hills, it was a solo break from a breakaway that gave Louis Vervaca the win.
02:42Five men in our breakaway today, including Gilles Gelderz, although he and Sepp Kuss both had to retire from the race with intestinal problems.
02:52Beautiful rides through the countryside and through the city of Muscat. It was a very long day in the saddle, 191k.
03:03And guess who was up there once again? Patrick Goscherny, 19 years old, wearing the white jersey and leading the classification for the most combative rider.
03:13But 13km from the finish, there was nothing that anyone could do about this. Baptiste Werstroffer. Remember him from the Muscat Classic, out there all day, all alone.
03:23Didn't get the victory then, but he was not going to be denied today.
03:27Well, Werstroffer is fully committed now. His head is down, his shoulders are rocking. The peloton is charging behind.
03:38They're led by the GC squads, of course, but I think they probably miscalculated the Frenchman's resistance.
03:44The gap is 45 seconds, and we're on the final climb. 1.6km at 6.8%. Werstroffer is grinding it out.
03:52He looks all the way back, and he's going to make it. He's going to get all the way to the finish line with a stunning solo victory from the breakaway.
04:00He was not to be denied today. He almost died hard at the Muscat Classic, but he's back with a vengeance today, and he finishes this stage with his arms in the air, saying,
04:10YITIKAIYE, Werstroffer.
04:14I just believe in myself from the start to the finish. Every kilometre, every second, I just believe I can do it.
04:20I also remember every day I pass through surfing, in the bench, not only in the bench, but in the break, alone, at the back, at the front, at the training.
04:29And yeah, I just believe, and I just deserve it, I think, now.
04:35What a victory for this 25-year-old. His first professional victory, and what a way to take it.
04:41HENOT MULUBRAHAN FROM ASTANA WON THE SPRINT FOR SECOND, TIBUR GRUEL WAS THIRD FOR GROUPARM AT FDJ, AND HE TAKES THE WHITE JERSEY.
04:53TOMORROW, IT'S A DIFFERENT STORY. IT'S OUR FIRST REAL GC DAY IN THE MOUNTAINS.
04:57TOMORROW, IT'S A DIFFERENT STORY. IT'S A DIFFERENT STORY. IT'S A DIFFERENT STORY. IT'S A DIFFERENT STORY. IT'S A DIFFERENT STORY. IT'S A DIFFERENT STORY. IT'S A DIFFERENT STORY. IT'S A DIFFERENT STORY. IT'S A DIFFERENT STORY. IT'S A DIFFERENT STORY. IT'S A DIFFERENT STORY. IT'S A DIFFERENT STORY. IT'S A DIFFERENT STORY. IT'S A DIFFERENT STORY. IT'S A DIFFERENT STORY. IT'S A DIFFERENT STORY. IT'S A DIFFERENT STORY. IT'S A DIFFERENT STORY. IT'S A DIFFERENT STORY. IT'S A DIFFERENT STORY. IT'S A DIFFERENT STORY. IT'S A DIFFER
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