Soren Kragh Andersen (Sunweb) has won the third stage of the Tour of Oman, managing to stay ahead of Rui Costa (UAE Abu Dhabi) and overnight leader Ben Hermans (BMC Racing). Despite small gaps in the front group, the top nine finishers were given the same time meaning Hermans retains the overall lead after winning stage two.
BMC were active on the front of the bunch in the closing kilometres and any longer-range attacks were brought back. The stage winner then pounced from the group to comfortably take the win, even having time to sit up and freewheel across the line.
Costa sits second overall so could be looking to take over the race lead in the coming days. Other riders who could threaten the overall are Romain Bardet (Ag2r) and Fabio Aru (Astana). The former will be looking to spring a surprise on Chris Froome (Team Sky) at the Tour de France by bettering last year's second place finish.
Other riders are using the Tour of Oman to hone their condition ahead of the Classics. Alexander Kristoff has already shown his form by winning stage one, and riders like Tom Boonen and Niki Terpstra (Quick-Step Floors) will use the weak in the Middle East to test their legs before heading back to Belgium and the cobbles.
Boonen crashed on stage one but has been able to ride on since so should be on top form for his final Classics campaign.