Cyclist Rick Pluimers booked his first professional victory in Oman on Friday. The Dutchman won the sprint of a thinned out peloton. Olav Kooij was unable to sprint on the hilly course.
The 24-year-old Pluimers defeated an established name like Diego Ulissi in the streets of Al Bustan. The Belgian Jenthe Biermans came second and Henok Mulubrhan from Eritrea finished third. The difference at the finish was a bike length.
Pluimers has been seen as a talent for years, but he had not won until Friday. Last year he finished fourth in a stage in the Renewi Tour, a stage race through Belgium and the Netherlands. He also finished second in Liège-Bastogne-Liège for U23 riders in 2021.
Pluimers rode for three years in the Jumbo-Visma development team and has been under contract with the Swiss cycling team Tudor since 2023. The ambitious team strengthened itself this winter with big names such as Julian Alaphilippe and Marc Hirschi.
Beforehand, all eyes were on Kooij, but the top sprinter had to let go on the last hills of the 170-kilometre course. The Dutchman will get a second chance in Oman in the coming days. From Saturday, he will participate in the Tour of Oman, which consists of five stages.
