On a day not expected to affect the standings, the BMC Racing Team put on an impressive display of teamwork to steer the race for the overall title at the Tour of Oman back in its favor. Making The Decisive Break

Three BMC Racing Team riders – Marcus Burghardt, Alexander Kristoff and Michael Schär – made the decisive split in Wednesday’s 116-mile (187 km) race that was won by Leigh Howard (HTC-Columbia). Left behind when the peloton separated in the crosswinds was previous race leader Edvald Boasson Hagen (Sky Pro Cycling Team), who was already chasing back after a nature break. He would go on to finish with a group of 46 riders who crossed the line 65 seconds after the winner. BMC Racing Team Director Sportif John Lelangue said he did not know who created the split due to the wind. “We were not creating it, we were just following it,” he said. “We are really happy because we weren’t expecting on such a stage like this that a big move would get going. We were hoping for it, but you never know.”

Burghardt And Schär In Good Position
With only two stages remaining, including Friday’s 11-mile (18 km) individual time trial, Schär (11th place) and Burghardt (21st) are best placed for the BMC Racing Team. Each is 21 seconds off the overall lead of Daniele Bennati (Liquigas-Doimos). Burghardt said having Kristoff with them as his group of 35 eventually caught an earlier breakaway of six with 25 miles to go was an ideal situation. “With Alex, we had a strong man and he did a brilliant job for us,” Burghardt said. “He was riding really hard in the wind so that Michael and I could take it easy and save energy.” Burghardt and Schär went on to finish eighth and ninth, respectively, on the stage while Kristoff was 29th.

‘A Terrific Job’ By Everyone
Nearly as satisfying as the end result of Stage 4, Lelangue said, was the manner in which the BMC Racing Team made everything happen. “All the guys were acting very professionally, with everyone doing an important job,” he said. “Jackson Stewart came back for bottles, Martin Kohler and Stewart helped Burghardt come back from a puncture, Simon Zahner sacrificed himself for 20 kilometers to ride with five Sky guys and chase that group of six. Alessandro Ballan knew his position and role and remained patient. And Kristoff did a terrific job helping keep the lead group going full speed when he could have saved himself for the sprint.”

Unusual Transfer Delays Start
The start of Wednesday’s stage was slightly delayed as the 125 riders first enjoyed a flight on a military plane of the Royal Air Force of Oman from the city of Muscat, followed by a bus transfer to the city of Ibri. On Thursday, Stage 5 covers a nearly out-and-back 92-mile (148 km) route between the coastal cities of Wattayat and Muscat, finishing outside the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex Stadium.