Muscat: With the participation of 18 international teams, the Tour of Oman 2022 has begun.
"The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, along with the participation of 126 riders representing 18 international teams launched the 11th stage of the Tour of Oman in its 11th edition at Rustaq Fort in the South Al Batinah Governorate," Oman News Agency (ONA) said in a statement.
Running from 10 to 15 February, the event will test the mental endurance and physical abilities of cyclists across a route that spans the length and breadth of the country and features a variety of terrains from wide open roads to winding, mountainous paths.
Cyclists will need to be prepped on many levels for the arduous route mapped out for them: stage 1 sees them race across asphalt as they hit the ground running from Al Rustaq fort to the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre in the capital, Muscat, a distance of 138km.
The riders will need to up and at ‘em for the next day of racing: departing from Naseem Garden, the competitors will hug the coastline as they see who can win the 167.5 km race to the Sohar Corniche. They’re back in Muscat for stage 3, which begins at Sultan Qaboos University and ends a good 180 km later in Quriyat.
It’s a race to finish in stage six, with cyclists taking off from Al Mouj Muscat and heading for the Muttrah Corniche, covering a distance of 135.5km.
Oman’s national cycling team are among those taking part at the Tour of Oman. Four teams have come from France: B&B Hotels KTM, Groupama FDJ, Cofidis, and Team Arkea Samsic. Three Belgian teams will also take part in the race: Bingoal Pauwels Sauces WB, Intermarche Wanty Gobert Materiaux, and Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl Team. The last of these three teams will feature famed British cyclist Mark Cavendish, who won the Tour de France in 2011 and 2021.
There are two teams from Spain – Euskaltel Euskadi and Burgos BH. Famed Kazakh cycling team Astana are also in contention this year. Russia (Gazprom Rusvelo), Italy (Bardiani CSF Faizane), Australia (Team Bike Exchange Jayco), the Netherlands (Team DSM), and Norway (Uno-X Pro Cycling) have all sent teams to the Tour of Oman. Team Emirates will also be taking part from the neighbouring United Arab Emirates.
The 2022 edition also marks the first appearance at the event by US cycling team Novo Nordisk. The debutants will be led by captain Charles Planet, who has overcome illness to return to cycling after a lengthy layoff.
"We have all the ingredients for a successful edition: routes through spectacular landscapes and talented riders,” said Saif Al Rashidi, the chairman of the Oman Cycling Federation. “We aim to promote Oman as a tourist destination, to inspire our youth and the people of this land with the importance of sport, and I am pleased to say that the Oman Cycling Federation is participating this year in the Tour of Oman.”