Pellaud grabs Tour of Salalah crown

Muscat, Sept 9
Swiss rider Simon Pellaud of Li Ning Star emerged the Tour of Salalah 2026 champion after edging his teammate Eduardo Sepulveda for a 15-second overall lead after the fourth and final stage in Salalah on Wednesday. China’s Li Ning Star dominated the Tour to claim the overall team title.
The 106 km fourth stage from Ain Razat to Sultan Qaboos Youth Complex was won by Li Ning Star’s Cameron Scott from Australia in two hours 22 minutes and 34 seconds.
Jakarta Pro Cycling Team cyclists Yosandy Darmawan Oetomo and Terry Yudha took the second and third spots respectively in the sprint finish, which saw 65 riders clock the same time as the winner among the total 79 that completed the stage.
Team Roojai Insurance Winspace was the best team of the stage.
Pellaud, who finished 27th in the last stage, also kept his green jersey for the leader of the points classification with 37 points.
Oman’s Asad al Habsi (22) and Mohammed al Wahibi (25th) were impressive in the fourth stage.
The final podium ceremony for the sixth edition of Tour of Salalah was held under the auspices of Dr Ahmed bin Mohsin al Ghassani, Chairman of Dhofar Municipality, and Saif bin Sebaa al Rashidi, Chairman of the Oman Cycling Association.
Pellaud claimed the Golden Jersey (sponsored by Dhofar Municipality) for leading the general classification and the Green Jersey (sponsored by Mohsin Haider Darwish) for leading the points classification.
Netherland’s Jeroen Meijers, Stage 1 winner and fourth in the last stage, of Victoria Sports Pro Cycling secured the Grey Jersey for the aggressive rider (sponsored by Badr Al Samaa Hospital), while the White Jersey for the Under-23 category (sponsored by Oman Oasis) went to Indonesian rider Dimas Nur Fadhil Rizqi (Jakarta Pro Cycling Team).
LI NING STAR DOMINATE
Li Ning Star comfortably took the team championship with an overall time of 33:49:26. Thailand’s Roojai Insurance Winspace was second (+0:49), while Rwanda’s Team Amanifinished third (+9:40).
Philippines Victoria Sports Pro Cycling (+12:18) and Guam-based EuroCyclingTrips – CCN (+16:59) completed the top five.

SALALAH TOUR CEMENTS PREMIER POSITION
Following the awards ceremony, OCA Chairman Saif al Rashidi, stated that the conclusion of the sixth edition of Tour of Salalah Tour marks a significant new milestone in the development of cycling in the Sultanate of Oman. He noted that the Tour has successfully cemented its status as one of the premier international sporting events hosted by the Dhofar Governorate, thanks to the high-calibre participation, fierce competition, and professional organisation that showcased growing national capabilities in managing major events.
Al Rashidi stated: 'We take pride in the achievements of the sixth edition of the Salalah Tour, which was the fruit of an effective partnership between Dhofar Municipality and the Oman Cycling Association, alongside significant cooperation from various government and private entities and organising committees. This synergy of efforts ensured the event was delivered in a manner befitting the Sultanate of Oman’s stature and its capability to host and organise international championships to the highest standards.'
He added: 'The participation of 95 cyclists — representing 16 teams and 28 nationalities — clearly underscores the Salalah Tour’s growing international reputation. This extensive participation also reflects the confidence the Tour has earned from the teams and cyclists — particularly given the four challenging and diverse stages that tested the participants' physical, technical, and tactical capabilities — contributed to heightening the level of competition right up to the race's final metres.”
Saif al Rashidi praised the Omani talent involved in managing the Tour, stating: 'National personnel demonstrated an impressive presence across various committees — spanning officiating, logistics, medical services, and anti-doping — proving their ability to shoulder responsibility and perform with high efficiency at an international event that demands precision, readiness, and the agility to handle diverse situations. This success reinforces our confidence in the importance of continuing to invest in national talent and providing them with further opportunities to gain experience and lead major sporting events.'

TECHNICAL AND ORGANISATIONAL SUCCESS
For his part, OCA Vice-Chairman Ishaq bin Abdullah al Balushi, Tour Director, affirmed that the sixth edition achieved remarkable technical and organisational success. He explained that the fierce competition and the diverse routes across the four stages contributed to a comprehensive race that showcased the true capabilities of the participating cyclists and teams. The event tested their speed, endurance, and ability to handle varied terrain and tactical strategies.
Al Balushi stated: 'This edition featured a high technical standard, evident from the start of the competition through to the conclusion of the final stage. Cyclists competed admirably across four challenging stages; we witnessed constant shifts in the race dynamics and intense battles for positions and leader jerseys, all of which added significant technical value to the Tour and reflected the high calibre of the participating teams and riders.'
'The success achieved in the Salalah Tour is the result of teamwork and ongoing collaboration between Dhofar Municipality, the Oman Cycling Association, and all partners and supporting entities. We look forward to continuously developing this event year after year to boost its international profile, promote the sport of cycling, and solidify the standing of Dhofar Governorate and the Sultanate of Oman on the global sports tourism map,' Ishaq concluded.
Tour of Salalah fourth stage results
(Read as rank, rider, country, team and timing)
1. Scott Cameron (Australia) Li Ning Star 2:22:34
2. Yosandy Darmawan Oetomo (Indonesia) Jakarta Pro Cycling Team 2:22:34
3. Yudha Terry (Indonesia) Jakarta Pro Cycling Team 2:22:34
4. Jeroen Meijers (Netherlands) Victoria Sports Pro Cycling 2:22:34
5. Ethan Kulsen (South Africa) JR Pro Cycling Team 2:22:34
6. Tillman Sarnowski (Germany) Embrace The World 2:22:34
7. Ronnilan Quita (Philippines) 7Eleven Cliqq Roadbike Philippines 2:22:34
8. Eduardo Sepúlveda (Argentina) Li Ning Star 2:22:34
9. Aurelien de Comarmond (Mauritius) The Joyrun & Hurricane Cycling Team 2:22:34
10. Tegshbayar Batsaikhan (Mongolia) Roojai Insurance Winspace 2:22:34
Tour of Salalah overall results
(Read as rank, rider, country, team and timing)
1. Simon Pellaud (Switzerland) Li Ning Star 11:15:55
2. Eduardo Sepúlveda (Argentina) Li Ning Star 11:16:10
3. Tegshbayar Batsaikhan (Mongolia) Roojai Insurance Winspace 11:16:16
4. Edison Alejandro Callejas (Colombia) Roojai Insurance Winspace 11:16:16
5. Adne van Engelen (Netherlands) Terengganu Cycling Team 11:16:30
6. Calum Johnston (Great Britain) Li Ning Star 11:16:47
7. Samuel Niyonkuru (Rwanda) Team Amani 11:16:51
8. Carter Bettles (Australia) Roojai Insurance Winspace 11:17:21
9. Hugo Lutz-Atkinson (Great Britain) EuroCyclingTrips – CCN 11:18:31
10. Fadhil Rizqi Dimas Nur (Indonesia) Jakarta Pro Cycling Team 11:19:40