Muscat - French cyclist Bryan Coquard won the first stage of the Tour of Oman on Tuesday, edging out Britain's Mark Cavendish and Italy's Giacomo Nizzolo in the final sprint.
Coquard cycled the 162.5 km (101 mile) route, from the city of Nizwa to Sultan Qaboos University campus in the capital Muscat, in just under four hours.
The second stage of the Tour of Oman starts Wednesday, a 167.5 kilometre stretch featuring four classified climbs from Muscat to the coastal village of Al Bustan.
Results from the first stage of the Oman Tour:
1. Bryan Coquard (FRA/VC) 3hr 58min 41sec
2. Mark Cavendish (GBR/Dimension Data) s.t.
3. Giacomo Nizzolo (ITA/Trek-Segafredo) s.t.
4. Nacer Bouhanni (FRA/Cofidis) s.t.
5. Maximilian Walscheid (GER/Sunweb) s.t.
6. Adam Blythe (GBR/Aqua Blue) s.t.
7. Alexander Kristoff (NOR/Emirates) s.t.
8. Bram Welten (NED/Fortuno) s.t.
9. Magnus Cort Nielsen (DEN/Astana) s.t.
10. Boris Vallee (BEL/Wanty) s.t.
Overall standings:
1. Bryan Coquard (FRA/VC) 3hr 58min 41sec
2. Mark Cavendish (GBR/Dimension Data) at 0:04
3. Giacomo Nizzolo (ITA/Trek-Segafredo) at 0:04
4. Nacer Bouhanni (FRA/Cofidis) at 0:06
5. Maximilian Walscheid (GER/Sunweb) at 0:08
6. Adam Blythe (GBR/Aqua Blue) at 0:08
7. Alexander Kristoff (NOR/Emirates) at 0:08
8. Bram Welten (NED/Fortuno) at 0:10
9. Magnus Cort Nielsen (DEN/Astana) at 0:10
10. Boris Vallee (BEL/Wanty) at 0:10
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