Final KM: Oman St5, Volta Algarve St4, Ruta del Sol St4, Haut Var St1!

More racing than you can throw a stick at… here’s the round up from Oman, Portugal, Spain and France.

Tour of Oman, Stage 5, Yiti (Al Sifah) to Ministry of Tourism, 119.5km

A parcours to suit the Ardennes and classics riders sure provided fireworks at the finish. Edvald Boasson Hagen (Dimension Data) unleashed a ferocious turn of speed to take his third win of the season, just pipping BMC’s Greg Van Avermaet with Marco Canola (UnitedHealthCare) in third. The Astana duo of Vincenzo Nibalai and Jakob Fuglsang took control of the race when the attacks came on the final climb, and remain in first and third overall with Romain Bardet (Ag2r La Mondiale) in second.

Norwegians with another stage win to celebrate!

And again…. Norwegian fans! Absolutely awesome 🇳🇴🇳🇴🇳🇴🇳🇴🇳🇴🇳🇴🇳🇴🇳🇴🇳🇴 #TOO2016 pic.twitter.com/Dj2NB6B5o5

— Tour of Oman (@tourofoman) February 20, 2016

Final kilometres

#ICYMI Edvald Boasson Hagen nailed his 2nd stage victory in a week. Watch the final kilometers. #TOO2016 https://t.co/TuCvidybhB

— Tour of Oman (@tourofoman) February 21, 2016

Volta ao Algarve, Stage 4, S. Brás de Alportel to Tavira, 194km

Etixx-Quick Step held their nerve in a chaotic finish to deliver Marcel Kittel for his fourth victory of the year – and the team’s eleventh! Wouter Wippert (Cannondale) got up for second place with Lotto-Soudal’s Jens Debuscherre rounding out the podium. The Quicksteppers still retain the overall with Tony Martin by 3secs from Geraint Thomas (Sky) and 20secs from Ion Izagirre (Movistar).

Podium awesomeness from ArgoSunGod and Panzerwagon

Марсель Киттель выиграл четвёртый этап «Вуэльты Алгарвы» — https://t.co/e27VTNArYV #велоспорт #valgarve2016 pic.twitter.com/Zjz3cyFoNf

— Велогонки (@cycling_edge) February 21, 2016

Ruta del Sol, Stage 4, Alhaurín de la Torre to Alhaurín de la Torre, ITT, 21km

BMC’s Tejay Van Garderen time trialled his way to stage victory and into the leader’s jersey, beating Wilco Kelderman (LottoNL-Jumbo) by 2secs and Jerome Coppel (IAM) by 7secs. These three must now defend the GC podium on the summit finish at Penas Blancas.

Tour Cycliste International du Haut Var-matin, Stage 1, Le Cannet des Mures to Bagnoles et Forêt, 155km

Tom-Jelte Slagter (Cannondale) put the knee injury that plagued his 2015 season well and truly behind him. On a tough finishing circuit at Bagnoles et Forêt he surged away on the uphill finish to take the win from Arthur Vichot (FDJ) and Mikael Cherel (Ag2r La Mondiale). All three finished on the same time and there are 38 riders within 9secs – it’s going to be a feisty final stage around the hilly Draguignan circuit.

The winning moment. Tomorrow @tomjelteslagter will swap #GreenArgyle for the #HautVar leader's jersey. pic.twitter.com/3QHvDjmAw1

— Cannondale Pro Team (@Ride_Argyle) February 20, 2016

Links:

Tour of Oman: Official Website, Twitter #TOO2016

Volta ao Algarve: Official Website, Twitter #VAlgarve2016

Ruta del Sol: Official Website, Twitter, #62RdS

Tour du Haut Var: Official Website, Twitter, #HautVar

Header photo: All smiles from Marcel Kittel as he sings the praises of his team.