Debut in Oman for the Colnago C64

The first stage of the Tour of Oman marked a first appearance in a race for a new frame fro Colnago.
Rui Costa (photo from the training on the eve) and Przemyslaw Niemiec were at the start of the Nizwa-Sultan Qaboos University (162,5 km) on their C64, the latest model of the well-renowned Italian bikes brand.

Rui Costa commented: “Today was an important day for me, because I was honored to be the first cyclist, together with my team mate Niemiec, to ride the new C64 Colnago frame in a pro race.
Since I saw it for the first time, I was moved for how beauty it is, such a charming look.
Obviously. I tested the bike before today race and I could appreciate the perfect mix of stiffness and comfort.
Today stage was not so demanding, so it was not a hard test for the bike too, however tomorrow the course will be hilly and I’m sure C64 will support me at a high level in my performance”.

The opening stage of the Arab race unfolded in a bunch sprint which was won by Coquard on Cavendish.
Alexander Kristoff obtained the 7th place. The European champion, who recently was in the top 10 of the general classification of the Dubai Tour, found his way in the sprint on the right side of the road, however Coquard, who accelerated in the center of the road, demonstrated to be faster.

Tour of Oman second stage, 167,5 km da Sultan Qaboos University-Al Bustan, will be characterized by a short hill (Al Jissah) at 4 km to the arrival.

Stage 1 results
1 Brian Coquard (Vital Concept) 3h58’41”
2 Mark Cavendish (Dimension Data) s.t.
3 Giacomo Nizzolo (Tre-Segafredo) s.t.
7 Alexander Kristoff (UAE Team Emirates) s.t.

General classification after stage 1
1 Brian Coquard (Vital Concept) 3h58’31”
2 Mark Cavendish (Dimension Data) 4″
3 Pierre-Luc Perichon (Fortuneo-Samsic) s.t.
11 Alexander Kristoff (UAE Team Emirates) 10″