MUSCAT: Tour of Oman, back after two years, will showcase the abilities of the world class cyclists on the unique terrains that the Sultanate of Oman will offer with its picturesque backdrops.
Sprinters such as the British icon Mark Cavendish, climbing talents like the rising German champion Marco Brenner and all-rounders such as the 2014 World Champion Rui Costa headline the startlist of the 11th edition of the much-popular race from February 10 to 15.
Classics experts such as Kragh Andersen will aim to show their leg strength while Jabal Al Akhdar (Green Mountain) will provide a major test for climbers like Masnada.
Tour of Oman's previous winners include top riders like Fabian Cancellara, Vincenzo Nibali and Chris Froome.
The six-day race starts on February 10 and includes stages on different terrain.
It will be the first championship for Cavendish, who will make his return from injury in Oman.
Cavendish has been out of action since November when he crashed heavily at the Six Days of Ghent event, an incident which left him with two broken ribs and a punctured lung.
In 2011, Cavendish won the final stage of the Tour of Oman on the Matrah Seafront. He is likely to have sprint opportunities on stage 1 to Muscat, on stage 2 to the Suhar Corniche and stage 6 on the Mutrah Corniche.
Stage 5 finishes on the tough Green Mountain Jabal al Akhdar climb (5.7km at 10.5%), with a short and steep finish in Qurayyat (2.8km at 6.5%) on stage 3.
Costa (UAE Team Emirates) is another contender who have eight top-5 stage finishes in the Tour of Oman, with strong overall results (2nd in 2017, also in the top 5 in 2016 and 2019).
VERSATILE TOUR
Sprinters and climbers alike will get their chances at the Tour of Oman 2022.
Fast riders are expected to get a kick start in the first two stages leading to the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre and the Suhar Corniche.
Young gun Kaden Groves (BikeExchange-Jayco), along with Arnaud Demare (Groupama-FDJ) and Fernando Gaviria (UAE Team Emirates) are expected to give a run for money for Cavendish (QuickStep Alpha Vinyl) in the race.
The British superstar, who shares the record for most wins in the Tour de France (34) with Belgian legend Eddy Merckx, won the final stage of the Tour of Oman in 2011, on the Matrah Corniche.
Fernando Gaviria, 27, of UAE Team Emirates is also in the reckoning since he sprinted to the prestigious yellow and pink jerseys on the roads of the Tour de France and the Giro d’Italia.
Italian climber Fausto Masnada (Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl Team) should be among Costa’s main rivals on the slopes of Jabal Al Akhdar.
In 2019, French climber Elie Gesbert (Team Arkea-Samsic) showed his worth with fifth spot alongside Costa. German teenager Brenner (Team DSM) will also be looking forward to show his abilities at the iconic climb.
Oman young national champion Said al Rahbi will try to get the most of it in his debut Tour. He will be joined by second placed Mohammed al Wahibi and bronze medalist Husam al Rawahi in the seven-man Oman team who will be competing in the race for the first time in its history.
Stage 1 | Al Rustaq Fort - Muscat (138k) -- Feb 10
Stage 2 | Naseem Park - Suhar Corniche (167.5k) -- Feb 11
Stage 3 | Sultan Qaboos University - Qurayyat (180k) -- Feb 12
Stage 4 | Al Sifah - Muscat (119.5k) -- Feb 13
Stage 5 | Samail - Jabal Al Akhdhar (150.5k) -- Feb 14
Stage 6 | Al Mouj Muscat - Matrah Corniche (135.5k) -- Feb 15
Teams (18)
Australia
Team BikeExchange-Jayco: Groves (Aus), Campbell (Nzl)
Belgium
Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux: Taaramäe (Est)
Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl Team: Cavendish (Gbr), Masnada (Ita)
Bingoal Pauwels Sauces WB: Menten (Bel)
France
B&B Hotels-KTM: Lietaer (Bel) Cofidis: Walscheid (Ger)
Team Arkea-Samsic: Gesbert (Fra), Capiot (Bel)
Groupama-FDJ: Scotson (Aus)
Italy
Bardiani CSF Faizane’: Zana (Ita)
Kazakhstan
Astana Qazaqstan Team Development: Henao (Col)
Netherlands
Team DSM: Kragh Andersen (Den), Pedersen (Den)
Norway
Uno-X Pro Cycling Team: Eg (Den)
Oman
Oman National Team: Said Al Rahbi
Russia
Gazprom-Rusvelo: Canola (Ita)
Spain
Euskaltel-Euskadi: Angulo (Esp)
Burgos-BH: Bol (Ned), Raïm (Est)
United Arab Emirates
UAE Team Emirates: Rui Costa (Por), Gaviria (Col)
USA
Team Novo Nordisk: Planet (Fra)
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