Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team rider Tom Boonen took a 5th place finish in the 164.5km Tour of Oman Stage 1 on Tuesday.
OPQS had control of the race going into the final kilometers, but Lotto-Belisol was able to find space to position Andre Greipel for the sprint. He went on to win the stage. Leigh Howard (Orica-GreenEDGE) was 2nd, and Nicola Ruffoni (Bardiani - CSF) was 3rd.
OPQS looks next to a 139km Stage 2. The stage is not as flat as the first with a couple small climbs, but descends into a flat finish. There are also two intermediate sprint sections.
