In a thrilling race at Al Bustan, New Zealand’s Finn Fisher-Black, representing UAE Team Emirates, claimed victory in the second edition of the Muscat Classic. The 19-year-old completed the challenging 147.3 km route from Al Mouj Muscat to Al Bustan in an impressive four hours, 17 minutes, and 11 seconds. Fisher-Black, who secured the third position at the Saudi Tour just a week ago, expressed his delight with the win and acknowledged the tough competition, particularly during the demanding last climb of the race.
Reflecting on his triumph, Fisher-Black stated, “It was really great to have a strong start and win this triumph in Muscat following the third place in Saudi Tour last week. It is a special occasion for me as I grabbed this victory. The competition was very tough, especially in the last climb in the race. It tested all the riders’ technical capabilities a lot, and we could manage to finish on top of the competitors.”
He highlighted favorable weather conditions and overall race conditions and expressed optimism for future victories, stating, “I am looking for more victories in this week as Tour of Oman will start on Saturday.”
Luke Lamperti from the USA, representing Soudal Quick-Step, secured the runner-up position, completing the race in over four hours. Belgian Amaury Capiot of Arkéa – B&B Hôtels claimed the third spot, finishing in 4 hours.
Lamperti shared his thoughts on the challenging day, stating, “It was really a hard day, but the team worked very well despite the challenges. It was nice to win the Sprint, and we were looking to get some victories but are happy with second. We will try our level best in the rest of the week at Tour of Oman to get a win despite the expected tough competition.”
Anticipation is building for the Tour of Oman, with Lamperti expressing excitement about the upcoming race, saying, “Many top riders will take part in the Tour of Oman, including some former winners who were in the podium at last edition. I think we will have good chances in the race, and we are very excited for the kickoff of the race.”
Fisher-Black’s solo victory showcased his emerging talent in the Muscat Classic, with a powerful attack on the final stretches of the race. The opening route of the 2024 Tour of Oman promises new challenges for the riders, commencing from the Oman Across Ages Museum to the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre (OCEC), covering a distance of 181.5 km. The race continues to be a platform for the rising stars in cycling to showcase their skills, setting the stage for an exciting season ahead.