Groupama-FDJ scored its first victory of the season. David Gaudu dominated the demanding uphill finish on stage 3 of the Tour of Oman. After the 180 kilometres, the peloton was going to tackle the Eastern Mountain (4.7 km at 7.6%), with the last kilometre an average slope of 12%. On the last kilometre, the French climber got rid of his rivals, before beating Adam Yates in the last metres. This is Gaudu's twelfth career win, he also took command of the GC which will be decided on Wednesday on the 'Green Mountain'.
"I had to try three times to manage to get away, but I think everyone was on the limit. And if they were on the limit, it was precisely thanks to my teammates' work. I was confident in my sprint. I deliberately didn't look behind, but I saw him (Adam Yates) come back because of his shadow. I told myself: when he opens the sprint, I open it as well, and it will come down to the legs, man against man! I knew I wouldn't crack mentally. I had this lactic effort in mind since this morning. It's something I've been able to work on this winter and I think that's what made the difference in the final straight. We'll need to secure the GC, and why not get a second stage victory."
-David Gaudu looks to profit on Green Mountain.
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