From Muscat to Jabal Al Akhdar , Oman's diversity to captivate the world once again

February 2 nd 2022 - 14:00 [GMT + 4]

  • From February 10th to 15th, the peloton of the 11th Tour of Oman will battle over six stages totalling 888km
  • For the 10th time in the history of the race, the famous climb of Jabal Al Akhdar (Green Mountain) is set to welcome the queen stage on its steep slopes 
  • Sprinters and puncheurs with also have opportunities to shine with a balanced route exploring the surroundings of Muscat, mountainous inland areas and the shores of the Sea of Oman

 The return of the Tour of Oman brings both familiar horizons and new opportunities to further explore the Jewel of Arabia. The 11th edition of the race will see an international peloton of 18 teams battle over 888km, with six varied stages covering both coastline and mountains, including the iconic Jabal Al Akhdar (Green Mountain).

The action will begin in Al Rustaq, a former capital of Oman, whose historic fort will welcome the start of stage 1. From there, the peloton will head to the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre in Muscat. The mostly flat route (138km) could favour explosive riders such as Sonny Colbrelli, winner in the same place in 2019.

Stage 2 will bring fast racing as well, as the peloton heads from Naseem Park to Suhar, one of the most important ports in the history of the area. Sprinters can eye another opportunity to shine, but with 167.5km to cover along the coast, everyone will be wary of echelons en route to the Suhar Corniche!

More intense racing is expected on days 3 and 4, with punchy routes to open up the battle for the final victory. On stage 3, the peloton will start from the Sultan Qaboos University and chase glory on the uphill finish of Qurayyat (2.8km at 6.5%), where Alexey Lutsenko took the leader’s jersey in 2019. Stage 4 promises a thriller between Al Sifah and the Royal Opera House Muscat (119.5km) with a punchy circuit around the climb of Boushar Al Amerat (Jabal Street) following the ascents of Al Jissah and Wadi Al Kabir.

Intensity will keep rising as the race gets closer to its conclusion, with a climax expected on the slopes of Jabal Al Akhdhar (Green Mountain). The grueling ascent (5.7km, 10.5%) is set to welcome the queen stage (150.5km from Samail) for the 10th time in the history of the Tour of Oman. Climbers will attempt to follow in the footsteps of winners such as Vincenzo Nibali, Joaquim Rodriguez, Chris Froome and Miguel Angel Lopez.

The final stage brings the peloton back to Muscat, with a start in the prestigious district of Al Mouj and a traditional finish on the Matrah Corniche. Fast men such as Alexander Kristoff and Mark Cavendish are used to shining in these spectacular settings where the overall winners of the Tour of Oman have been crowned since Fabian Cancellara won the inaugural edition in 2010.

18/02/2019 – Tour of Oman - Stage 3 - Shati Al Qurum - Qurayyat
18/02/2019 – Tour of Oman - Stage 3 - Shati Al Qurum - Qurayyat © ASO/P.Ballet
21/02/2019 - Tour of Oman - Stage 6 - Al Mouj Muscat - Matrah Corniche. Credit: ASO/Kare Dehlie Thorstad
21/02/2019 - Tour of Oman - Stage 6 - Al Mouj Muscat - Matrah Corniche. Credit: ASO/Kare Dehlie Thorstad © ASO/Kare Dehlie Thorstad
18/02/2019 – Tour of Oman - Stage 3 - Shati Al Qurum - Qurayyat
18/02/2019 – Tour of Oman - Stage 3 - Shati Al Qurum - Qurayyat © ASO/P.Ballet

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