7msports > Racing Video > Sandstorms cause havoc at Tour of Oman

Sandstorms cause havoc at Tour of Oman

Sunday, February 22 2015 by SNTV
  • Intro:

    Stage 5 of the Tour of Oman was cancelled on Saturday (21st February) after a sandstorm and excessive heat raised concerns for rider safety.

    Script:

    Saturday's penultimate stage of the Tour of Oman was looking unlikely as sandstorms hit the area.

    The route was to have taken the riders a 151.5 kilometre (94 mile) route from Al Sawadi Beach to the Ministry of Housing.

    However, a sandstorm which was ever present from the start of the day forced organisers to shorten the course, then temperatures soared above 45 degrees celsius, several riders' tyres melted in the heat.

    Italian team Bardiani CSF reported six tyre explosions and other riders complained that their brakes were not working properly.

    The peloton, concerned for their safety, decided that enough was enough and pulled over to take shelter under a bridge.

    The riders got their way and the race was cancelled with race leader Rafael Valls leading them over the line in a null and void stage.

    Meaning the Spanish rider will take a nine-second advantage over Tejay van Garderen of the United States (BMC Racing) into Sunday's concluding stage, the 133-kilometre route ending the Tour of Oman.

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