Sepulveda clinches Dhofar Classic honours

MUSCAT, SEPT 5
Argentine cyclist Eduardo Sepulveda of Li Ning Star claimed the opening Dhofar Classic race on Saturday ahead of the first stage of Tour of Salalah 2026.
Sepulveda completed the 98-kilometre one-day road race in two hours 23 minutes and 11 seconds to win the title.
Brazilian rider Nicolas Sessler of Victoria Sports Pro Cycling finished second in 2:23:35 while Colombian cyclist Edinson Alejandro Callejas of Roojai Insurance Winspace took third spot (2:23:52).
Swiss rider Simon Pellaud (2:12:17) of Li Ning Star was fourth and Tegshbayar Batsaikhan (2:12:39) of Roojai Insurance Winspace completed the top five positions.
Saif bin Sebaa al Rashidi, Chairman of the Oman Cycling Association, presented the awards to the winners.
Li Ning Star team was named the best team of the race after three of their riders coming in the top 10 including the champion. Apart from Sepulveda (first) and Pellaud (fourth), Calum Johnston (ninth), Cameron Scott (20), Nils Sinschek (31) and Cang Yang (37th) also made impressive outing for Li Ning Star among the 69 cyclists who made the finish.
The race started at Al Haffa Market, proceeding along Sultan Qaboos Road toward Al Dahariz and Al Maamoura Roundabout. The route passed through the Darbat Waterfalls tunnel before returning to Al Maamoura Roundabout, heading toward Al Dahariz Roundabout, and continuing via Umm Al Ghawarif Road toward Al Rabat Roundabout and Al Mansoura Street. It then proceeded along Al Rabat Street—passing the Radisson Hotel—toward the Wadi Jarziz Dam, passing Hajif Roundabout, and concluding with a climb to the finish line in the Hajif district.
Dhofar Classic race is classified as a Class 1 event among one-day races in Asia, with the winner earning 125 world-ranking points. The Oman Cycling Association seeks to elevate the race's classification in future editions from Class 1 to ‘Pro’ status; this upgrade would increase the winner's points from 125 to 200, thereby attracting a greater number of elite cyclists to compete for the title.
OPENING STAGE
The first stage of the sixth edition of Tour of Salalah will start on Sunday from Mughsayl to Mirbat Castle, covering 127 km.
The second stage will cover 108 km from Dhazarez Beach to Wadi Darbat on September 7. The third stage will run from Taqah Castle to Jabal Samhan for the longest of the Tour with 156 km on September 8. The fourth and final stage for 105 km will cover Ain Razat to Sultan Qaboos Youth Complex on September 9.
A technical meeting for the participating teams was held at the Plaza Salalah Hotel & Resort on Friday. The meeting was attended by Saif al Rashidi, OCA Chairman, Ishaq bin Abdullah al Balushi, OCA Vice-Chairman and Race Director; Alexandre Nouhad (France), the Tour’s Chief Commissaire; as well as representatives from the participating teams and race officials. Welcoming the participating delegations, Saif al Rashidi expressed hope that Tour of Salalah would achieve its intended technical objectives. He emphasised the organising committee's commitment to scheduling the event to align with the International Cycling Union (UCI) calendar. For their part, Ishaq al Balushi and Frenchman Alexandre Nouhad detailed the various stages of the tour, expressing their hope that all participants would make the most of the race stages.
Li Ning Star team’s Eduardo Sepulveda affirmed that Tour of Salalah would serve as a comprehensive test of the cyclists' abilities, given the diverse field of participants and the nature of the competition, which demands a blend of physical strength, experience, and tactical intelligence.
'Multi-stage races require more than just physical readiness; a cyclist must know how to manage their energy and respond to the moves of their competitors. I am ready to take on the challenge, and I am participating in this edition of the tour with the aim of competing strongly and achieving a top result.'
He added: 'Experience is certainly important, but it doesn't guarantee results on its own. Once the race begins, decisions made on the road are what count. There is a strong field of riders, and the competition is clearly wide open; I anticipate an exciting tactical battle, especially as time gaps begin to emerge.'

TACTICAL COMPETITION
Victoria Sports Pro Team’s Nicolas Sessler explained that the Tour would be a 'tactical competition' requiring a careful reading of each stage. He noted that the large number of teams and the diverse backgrounds of the participating cyclists would make controlling the race difficult, giving the advantage to those who can make the right decision at the crucial moment.
Sessler said: 'In stage races, you can't reveal all your cards from the very first kilometers. You have to know when to make a move, whom to watch, and when conserving energy is more important than joining a chase that could cost you dearly later on. That’s why I believe the Tour of Salalah won't just be a test of physical strength; it will be a race of intelligence and tactics as well.'
DHOFAR CLASSIC TOP 10 RESULTS
(Read as rank, rider, country, team and timing)
1. Eduardo Sepúlveda (Argentina) Li Ning Star 02:11:22
2. Nícolas Sessler (Brazil) Victoria Sports Pro Cycling 02:11:35
3. Edison Alejandro Callejas (Colombia) Roojai Insurance Winspace 02:11:52
4. Simon Pellaud (Switzerland) Li Ning Star02:12:17
5. Tegshbayar Batsaikhan (Mongolia) Roojai Insurance Winspace 02:12:39
6. Callum Ormiston (South Africa) The Joyrun & Hurricane Cycling Team 02:13:04
7. Carter Bettles (Australia) Roojai Insurance Winspace 02:13:34
8. Jeroen Meijers (Netherlands) Victoria Sports Pro Cycling 02:13:40
9. Calum Johnston (Great Britain) Li Ning Star 02:13:54
10. Antoine Huby (France) 7Eleven Cliqq Roadbike Philippines 02:14:04