ProTeam Van Gils second in Tour of Oman after strong uphill sprint

Lotto Dstny rider Maxim Van Gils sprinted to a second place on the first uphill finish at the Tour of Oman. After a fifth place at the Muscat Classic past Friday, the 23-year-old Belgian confirmed his excellent shape and was only beaten by Spaniard Jesús Herrada.

In the second stage of the Tour of Oman, everything would be decided on the over two kilometres long uphill finish in Qurayyat. Van Gils rode an attentive climb and when Herrada launched an acceleration at 300 metres to go, the young Belgian also went full. The Lotto Dstny rider held his long effort until the finish line, was able to hold off the upcoming Italian Ulissi and grabbed second place. That way, Van Gils will start stage three at the Tour of Oman in the best young rider’s jersey and second overall.

Maxim Van Gils: “As a rider, you always want the highest possible result of course, but despite just missing out on the win today, I can be satisfied with my performance today. My fifth place at the Muscat Classic showed that the form is there and I am happy to continue that way at the Tour of Oman. This gives me confidences for the next stages.”

“I love racing in the desert, but it wasn’t easy today. We knew this climb would suit me really well but it was a big fight to start the ascent in a good position. Luckily, my teammates did an amazing job and kept me at the front. Today I just missed out on the victory but there are some nice and tough stages to come. And I’m sure that the best young rider’s jersey will give me an extra boost”, concludes Maxim Van Gils.

Images: Photo News.