The renaissance continues apace. After cruising to a time trial win last week and then besting Vincenzo Nibali on an uphill finale three days ago, Edvald Boasson Hagen (Dimension Data) claimed his third win of the new season by unfurling a crisp sprint to claim stage 5 of the Tour of Oman.
There is palpable excitement in the Dimension Data camp about what Boasson Hagen can achieve in their colours this spring but as ever, the man himself was the steady voice of equanimity amid the hubbub at the finish, where he chatted politely with a cheerful group of Norwegian expatriate supporters before mounting the podium.
“I’m feeling pretty good,” Boasson Hagen said with typical understatement. “I was feeling pretty good already in Qatar and I’ve taken two stages here now, so I’m pretty happy with that. I was hoping for it of course but I didn’t expect it.”
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As at Quriyat on stage 2, Boasson Hagen was able to rely on robust support from his Dimension Data team on Saturday, and their cause was aided considerably by the presence of Jacques Janse Van Rensburg in the day’s early break. The South African and his breakaway companion Pieter Weening (Roompot) managed to survive at the head of the race almost all the way to the finish, and were ultimately swept up just over two kilometres from the line.
Boasson Hagen, meanwhile, had survived the whittling down process that took place over the three ascents of the stiff climb of Bousher Al Amarat in the finale, and he had four teammates – Nathan Haas, Merhawi Kudus, Serge Pauwels and Daniel Teklehaimanot – for company in the 40-man leading group that formed on the last lap.
“We had a plan that Jacques was going to go in the break, so we wouldn’t have to chase from behind all day,” Boasson Hagen. “The rest of the guys on the other teams needed to do the work, and we could just relax.”
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