Kittel takes lead in Oman

Muscat - German rider Marcel Kittel won stage one of the Tour of Oman on Monday after the Argos Shimano cyclist won a mass sprint at the end of a 162km run from Al Musannah to Sultan Qaboos University, west of Muscat.

The 24-year-old, who won two stages on last year's edition held off the challenge of Italian David Apollonio (AG2R) and French champion Nacer Bouhanni (FDJ) who took the final spot on the podium.

The rising Kittel - whose finest moment was winning the seventh stage on the 2011 Tour of Spain - will now wear the leader's red jersey for stage 2 on Tuesday, which features a 146km jaunt from Fanja in Bidbid to Al Bustan.

The six-stage race, which follows the Tour of Qatar, won by Britain's Mark Cavendish last week, culminates on Saturday at Matra Corniche.

Results after first stage of the Tour of Oman on Monday, a 162km ride from Al Musannah to Sultan Qaboos University, east of Muscat:

Stage

1. Marcel Kittel (GER/Argos Shimano) 4hr 04min 59sec, 2. Davide Appollonio (ITA) same time, 3. Nacer Bouhanni (FRA) s.t., 4. Alexander Kristoff (NOR) s.t., 5. Tom Boonen (BEL) s.t., 6. Taylor Phinney (USA) s.t., 7. Filippo Fortin (ITA) s.t., 8. Kristof Goddaert (BEL) s.t., 9. Elia Viviani (ITA) s.t., 10. Jacopo Guarnieri (ITA) s.t

Selected

32. Peter Sagan (SVK) s.t., 45. Fabian Cancellara (SUI) s.t., 47. Vincenzo Nibali (ITA) s.t., 52. Christopher Froome (GBR) s.t., 59. Alberto Contador (ESP) s.t., 68. Philippe Gilbert (BEL) s.t., 85. Cadel Evans (AUS) s.t., 108. Joaquim Rodriguez (ESP) s.t., 138. Bradley Wiggins (GBR) 1min 21sec

Overall

1. Marcel Kittel (GER/Argos Shimano) 4hr 04:49, 2. Davide Appollonio (ITA) at 4sec, 3. Bobbie Traksel (NED) s.t., 4. Nacer Bouhanni (FRA) 6, 5. Dominique Rollin (CAN) 9, 6. Sonny Colbrelli (ITA) s.t., 7. Alexander Kristoff (NOR) 10, 8. Tom Boonen (BEL) s.t., 9. Taylor Phinney (USA) s.t., 10. Filippo Fortin (ITA) s.t.

Selected

35. Peter Sagan (SVK) s.t., 46. Fabian Cancellara (SUI) s.t., 48. Vincenzo Nibali (ITA) s.t., 53. Christopher Froome (GBR) s.t., 60. Alberto Contador (ESP) s.t., 69. Philippe Gilbert (BEL) s.t., 85. Cadel Evans (AUS) s.t., 108. Joaquim Rodriguez (ESP) s.t., 142. Bradley Wiggins (GBR) 1min 31sec