Ten days after the birth of his son Jules, Tim Merlier celebrated with a group sprint victory at the Tour of Oman. As he crossed the line, he celebrated his victory with a cradle-rocking gesture.

Joule's arrival was just one of the reasons his new team, Sourdal-Quick Step, celebrated its first win of the season on Friday.

"Friday was also (my partner) Cameron's birthday, and the day before that it was my mother's birthday, and today, Saturday, it was my brother's birthday. So this success was a gift to all of them."

"It wasn't easy to leave home, but that's the life of a motorcycle rider. I could have tried to hold on at all costs on Friday's hilly course to dedicate my victory to Cameron in the Muscat Classic yesterday, but I knew that would have cost me almost any chance of success in this first stage. I knew the route of the course suited me very well."

It was almost certainly the only bunch sprint of this year's Tour of Oman. He was in great form in the final dash, but before that, he said, his victory had been in doubt.

"I almost steered my teammate (Bert) van Lerberghe and (Jordi) Warlop in the last corner. I almost got passed by teammates (Bert) Van Lerberghe and (Jordi) Worlop on the last corner, but I knew how to come back well.

"I went pretty much on the outside, but fortunately I had the strength to make it to the end."

Aside from multiple family celebrations, Merlier had another reason to celebrate his victory in Oman.

"We talked during the stage about how to handle this sprint, and he gave me the same instructions as he did back in school," Merlier added with a laugh. But at least in the opening group sprint of the Tour of Oman, it was Mellier who gave the final instructions.