Wow. What a fantastic and interesting tour it was. If only you could stay at a 5 star resort for every race. This was a country that was totally different to anywhere I had ever been. I really enjoyed the tour and everything the race had to offer. I finished with a great result. 3rd in the final time trial behind Edvald Boasson Hagen (Team Sky) and Fabian Cancellara (Saxo Bank) which sent me up in the overall classification to third also. I am really pleased with this result. It is my first time on the podium at a stage race as a professional and gives me great confidence for the up coming World Track Championships and the road season ahead. 

I set up my chances for a crack at a podium spot a couple of days ago in the fourth stage. Crosswinds split the peloton with 45 km remaining and lucky enough i was right up their when it happened. I followed my team leaders Tyler Farrar and Robbie Hunter which put me into the front group of 35 riders. We stayed clear to the finish line by a minute over the main peloton and with only one more flat stage before the final time trial, I was a chance of putting in a strong ride to be up their in the overall classification. 

The final time trial course was a really tough circuit. The first 6 km had multiple climbs in it and everyone was on normal road bikes with no aerodynamic equipment. I completed the 19 km course in a time of 26.43 which is an average speed of just over 43 km/hr. I beat time trial specialist Marco Pinotti by 3 seconds to take third on the overall only losing by .49 of a second to Boasson Hagen for the young riders jersey and second overall. So close but I am not at all disappointed to lose to these very good riders and maybe one day ill be a step ahead of them. 

So now I head back to Australia to finish off my preparation for the Track World Championships in Denmark next month. We have a 3 week camp in Adelaide and I feel I am on track to having some good form to defend my world title. 

Final Time Trial, Tour of Oman

Tour of Oman Podium