Tour of Salalah: Where sporting ambition meets tourism

MUSCAT: The Tour of Salalah is entering a new development stage as Oman continues to use international sporting events as a platform to promote the tourism, develop local athletes and strengthen its presence on the global sporting map. The sixth edition of the Tour of Salalah will take place from September 6 to 9, while the second edition of the Dhofar Classic will be held on September 5. Both events are organised by the Oman Cycling Association (OCA), with the support of Dhofar Municipality and in accordance with the regulations of the International Cycling Union (UCI).
The Tour of Salalah is more than an international cycling race. Classified as a UCI 2.2 event and part of the UCI Asia Tour, it has become an important sporting and tourism product that takes the name and natural beauty of Salalah and the Sultanate of Oman to cycling audiences around the world.
This year's Tour will feature four stages covering a total distance of approximately 499 km, taking riders through a variety of landscapes and tourism destinations across Dhofar. The routes combine coastal roads, mountains, valleys and natural and historical sites, offering both a demanding sporting challenge and a strong visual showcase of the governorate. On the other hand, the Dhofar Classic race event will cover 98 km on September 5. The race will start from Al Haffa Souq at 10 am, with the actual race beginning after approximately 8 km at Asser Roundabout before passing through Aser and Ain Saleet and finishing at Hajif Primary School.
LOCAL RACE TURNS INTERNATIONAL
OCA Vice-Chairman and Tour of Salalah Event Safety Manager Ishaq al Balushi said the development of the Tour since its first edition in 2021 reflects a long-term sporting project rather than simply an annual cycling race. “When we look at the Tour of Salalah from its first edition in 2021 to the sixth edition in 2026, we are talking about a sporting project that has developed rapidly,” Al Balushi told Oman Observer.
“The initial objective was to establish a strong stage race in Oman that could give Omani cyclists the opportunity to compete while also taking advantage of the natural assets of Dhofar. With every edition, we have improved the organisation, expanded participation and developed the routes and technical aspects.”
The Tour became part of the UCI Asia Tour in 2023, marking an important step in its international development. Last year's fifth edition featured 15 teams and national selections, further strengthening the event's reputation among international cycling teams.
“For us, real success is not only the continuation of the Tour. It is its transition from a local sporting event into an international race with a place on the Asian and international calendar, while also building Salalah's reputation as a destination capable of hosting cycling events at a high technical and organisational level,” Al Balushi said.

95 RIDERS FROM 28 COUNTRIES
The 2026 edition is expected to feature 95 riders representing 16 teams and 28 nationalities, highlighting the growing international appeal of the event. The preliminary entry list includes Oman, Saudi Arabia, Algeria and Bahrain national teams, alongside continental and club teams such as Terengganu Cycling Team, Li Ning Star, Roojai Insurance, Jakarta Pro Cycling Team, Victoria Sports Pro Cycling, The Joyrun & Hurricane Cycling Team, Euro Cycling Trips, 7Eleven Cliqq Roadbike Philippines, Team Amani, JR Pro Cycling Team, Embrace The World and Prologue Racing Team.
Britain leads the nationality list with 10 riders, while Algeria, Ethiopia, Germany, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Oman and the Philippines are each represented by six riders. Australia and Bahrain have five riders each. The field also reflects a strong presence of young cyclists. Around 38 per cent of the riders are aged 22 or under, while the average age of the field is approximately 25.5 years.
UCI CLASSIFICATION
The UCI 2.2 classification has given the Tour a recognised position within international cycling and also placed greater responsibility on the organisers. Al Balushi explained that the classification requires the race to meet international standards covering areas such as officiating, safety, race convoy management, timing, results, technical services and team operations. “Being classified as UCI 2.2 is very important for us. It means that the Tour of Salalah is officially recognised as an international stage race and forms part of the UCI Asia Tour,” he said.
“But the importance goes beyond simply having the race listed on the international calendar. The classification places significant technical and organisational responsibilities on the organising committee.”
Safety remains one of the key priorities, with the organisers working on road security, traffic management, medical and emergency services, communication systems and the management of potentially dangerous sections of the routes. The association also sees media production and international promotion as increasingly important elements of the event.
“International cycling races today are not only sporting competitions. They are also media, tourism and economic products. The better the quality of the television production, digital coverage and international promotion, the greater the value of the Tour,” Al Balushi said.
A PLATFORM FOR OMANI CYCLISTS
While international participation has helped raise the profile of the Tour, developing Omani cyclists remains one of its most important objectives. The Oman national team has been preparing through an external training programme that included camps in France, particularly in Brittany, as well as participation in European and international races. These experiences have given the riders more competition days and helped them adapt to the demands of international cycling, including riding in large groups, tactical racing, climbing, changes in pace and the physical pressure of consecutive stages.
“The participation of the Oman national team in the Tour of Salalah is not symbolic,” Ishaq said.
“We want the Omani riders to enter the race ready to compete and to gain real technical experience from racing alongside international cyclists.”

SALALAH AS A CYCLING DESTINATION
The sporting value of the Tour is closely linked to its tourism potential. Dhofar's mountains, coastline, valleys, historical locations and unique Khareef landscape provide a natural setting for an international cycling race while giving global audiences an opportunity to discover Oman through sport.
“Dhofar has an exceptional tourism and natural product, and cycling is one of the best sports through which we can take this product to the world,” Al Balushi said.
“When people watch the race, they are also watching the mountains, beaches, roads and natural and historical sites of the governorate.”
This combination of sport and tourism supports Oman's wider ambition to use major sporting events to diversify tourism offerings, promote destinations and create opportunities for athletes, businesses and local communities. The Tour also has the potential to attract international teams for training camps, not only for competition. Dhofar's varied terrain can provide different training conditions, making the governorate a potential destination for teams seeking preparation opportunities.
CYCLING LEGACY
The impact of the Tour extends beyond the riders competing on the road. Each edition provides opportunities for Omani officials, technical staff, judges, volunteers, medical teams and organisers to gain experience in delivering an internationally sanctioned event.
“Our real legacy is not only measured by the number of teams, spectators or media coverage,” Ishaq said.
“It is also measured by the Omani cyclist who can stand on the start line alongside professional riders and compete over the same distances, climbs and conditions.”
A BIGGER VISION FOR DHOFAR
The Oman Cycling Association now sees the Tour of Salalah as one of the pillars of a wider cycling system in Dhofar. “Our vision is to build an international cycling ecosystem in Dhofar, with the Tour of Salalah as one of its main pillars,” Al Balushi said.
“We want the event to have a sporting, tourism, economic and media impact, in line with the objectives of Oman Vision 2040 in promoting sport, diversifying the economy, supporting tourism and improving quality of life.”
“Every edition is not the end of the project; it is another step towards the next one,” the OCA official said. “Our ambition is to see the name of the Tour of Salalah move forward year after year on the international cycling map,” he concluded.
Read as Day and Date, Distance, Start – Finish
Dhofar Classic 2026
Dhofar classic
Saturday, Sept 5
98 km
Al Haffa Souq – Hajif
Tour of Salalah 2026
Stage 1
Sunday, Sept 6
127 km
Mughsail Beach – Mirbat Castle
Stage 2
Monday, Sept 7
108 km
Dhazarez Beach - Wadi Darbat
Stage 3
Tuesday, Sept 8
156 km
Taqah Castle – Jabal Samhan
Stage 4
Wednesday, Sept 9
105 km
Ain Razat – Sultan Qaboos Youth Complex