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Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team Wins Teams’ Classification in Oman

“Green Mountain was never going to be easy with average gradients well into the double digits and temperatures in Oman soaring. Add a crash at the foot of the climb to make the challenge even bigger for the Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team.

12 February 2025

Damien Howson showed true grit after that crash to fight his way back to the front of the race and finish in seventh place on the day and fourth in the general classification. Matteo Badilatti (13) and David de la Cruz (15) also got in the top 15 of the general classification.

Thanks to their overall performance, the invaluable help of Xabier Mikel Azparren and Marcel Camprubí during the stages and the help and sprint results of Giacomo Nizzolo, Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team wins the teams’ classification.

“The way the team supported me today gave me the best opportunity to perform today” 

Damien Howson said: “It was nervous at the front and the roads were slippery at that right turn at the roundabout towards the climb. That caused a pile up in the bunch. It was a very hectic moment, but I am grateful for my team who were there for me before and after that crash. I did my best to the finish line, but I wasn’t thinking as clearly as I would have liked. It’s one of the hardest climbs ever with those gradients and after that crash I didn’t pace as well as I could have.

It’s a shame to drop off that podium but I managed to hold onto fourth. It was within reach, but I couldn’t have done more than I did today under the circumstances. The way the team supported me today gave me the best opportunity to perform today. We now go back to Europe with great motivation and confidence going forward.”

Sports director Alex Sans Vega looks back at today: “We knew it would be a fast race with many riders wanting to be in the breakaway. Marcel Camprubí represented us in that large group of 17 that went away after 10 kilometers. It took a little way before they had a gap, but it was never big. At five kilometers it was just a minute, and they were caught.

At that moment there was a big crash of around 20 riders with David, Xabier Mikel and Damien. Giacomo had to set foot on the ground too. Damien jumped back on soon and David and Xabiel Mikel paced him back. They rejoined the first group at the bottom of the climb. That was a really big effort before the actual climb started. Damien got better and better during the climb and passed more and more riders.

I saw a big fight from all our guys and that was really nice to see. They were focused and committed. As a reward we get the team classification where everyone gets to be on the podium. It’s a nice picture to have. I am just very proud of everyone here.”

As Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team we ride with radar focus. Winning a team classification is the best way to emphasize this process by everyone involved. Well done Damien, Xabier Mikel, David, Marcel, Giacomo, Matteo, Alex, Daniele, Edgar, Joaquin, Madlaine, Jens. Alejandro and Michał.”