Pavel Bittner sprints to 2nd place in opening Tour of Oman stage

After the Muscat Classic on Friday, the Tour of Oman got underway on Saturday with a 177 kilometre kilometre long stage from Bushar to Bimmah Sink Hole. Despite some climbs in the earlier part of the route, the day seemed destined to end in a bunch sprint with the peloton always in control of the breakaway. Team Picnic PostNL rode well as a unit to keep each other safe throughout the day, before turning their attention to the fast finish once those out front were caught.

Holding their position at the head of the bunch from around 15 kilometres to go, the team stayed out of danger on the twisting roads, bringing fast finisher Pavel Bittner to the fore. The final few kilometres took place on a mostly arrow-straight road so the proverbial washing machine was in full effect but going under the flamme rouge the team could hold Bittner in the first ten riders. The fight for position was fierce and just as he was about to open up his sprint Bittner had to check ever so slightly, before stamping on the pedals. Going all-out to the line he crossed the finish in a strong second place on the day; giving confidence for the sprint chances to come.

Bittner expressed: “It was the first stage here in Oman so we had the joint goals of keeping our GC guys safe and then going for it in the sprint with me. It was a pretty easy day in the bunch, but as we got closer to the final it got more and more hectic. We had a clear plan for how we wanted to do things and everyone stayed on the same page and we kept a cool head. The boys did a really good job and I was in a position where I could sprint and I tried to find a good way in the final to be on a fast wheel. I had to do a bit of an extra detour in the sprint but I felt really strong. In the end Kooij was faster but it’s nice to start with a second place and some good teamwork, so we just need to continue with that in the next days.”

Team Picnic PostNL coach Phil West continued: “The goal today was to sprint with Pavel, and keep Kevin and Warren out of trouble. It was a pretty steady day in the peloton. There was a small break from the start and it was a steady ride towards the final. We were really focused towards those final 30 kilometres and the team were really where they needed to be. The guys communicated well and could bring Pavel into a position where he could sprint, where he took second in the end. It’s a nice start for us here in Oman and we’re looking forward to getting stuck in tomorrow in what should be another grippy final.”