George Bennett of Team LottoNL-Jumbo finished 26th in the penultimate stage of the Tour of Oman on Saturday. Bennett led the team in black and yellow in the group of 36, Edvald Boasson Hagen (Dimension Data) took the victory and Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) kept the overall lead. 

Team LottoNL-Jumbo’s were tasked to drop George Bennett off at the foot of the first of a series of three climbs on the final circuit.

Sport Director Jan Boven said, “The sprint train made progress since Qatar. The riders became better coordinated. George drove away on that climb in a seven-man group, but the bunch closed the gap again."

Bennett joined the team for Oman after travelling from New Zealand and showed good progression after a few days of jetlag.

"You see that George has made some significant progress," continued Boven. "Last year, he could not do this. The other guys are in condition, too, and that builds confidence towards the classics. On Monday, we fly back home and then on Saturday, we start Omloop Het Nieuwsblad."

The final Oman stage tomorrow suits a sprinter. Boven ordered the squad to conserve as much energy as possible today.

"Hofland has already showed his fast legs here. That's why I gave the team the task to work for George, to drop him off, and then to safe as much energy as possible for tomorrow. Since Qatar, you can see that the team is growing in form and in self-confidence."

The final stage on Sunday covers 130 kilometres with two hills.