MUSCAT, SEPT 7
United Arab Emirates national team rider Abdullah Jasem was crowned champion of the opening stage of the 2025 Salalah International Cycling Tour in its fifth edition, organised by Dhofar Municipality in partnership with the Oman Cycling Association (OCA) and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth (MoCSY), taking place from September 6–10.
Abdullah Jasem secured first place ahead of his rivals, with Mathias Bregnhoj of Malaysia’s Terengganu Cycling Team finishing second, and Sarawut Sirironnachai of the Thailand national team taking third. On the team level, the UAE national team won the award for Best Team of the Stage.
Alongside winning the stage, Abdullah Jasem claimed multiple honors: the gold jersey presented by Dhofar Municipality for leading the general classification, the green jersey sponsored by Mohsin Haider Darwish for leading in points, and the white jersey offered by Oman Oasis as the best under-23 rider. Meanwhile, Omani national team rider Mohammed al Wahaibi drew the spotlight by winning the “grey jersey” (Most Aggressive Rider) sponsored by Badr Al Samaa Hospital, giving the local fans a proud moment that highlighted the growth of Omani cycling.
STAGE ONE DETAILS
The first stage covered 108 kilometres, starting from Ain Razat, passing through Razat roundabout and Al Mamurah, heading toward Taqah roundabout, then on to Darbat Falls and the cliffs of Mirbat. The route continued across Tawi Atair bridge, Mirbat Castle and its sand dunes, before turning toward Hasheer and Darbat, ending at Khor Rori.
The award ceremony was attended by Kheireddine Barbari, President of the Algerian Cycling Federation and Secretary-General of the Algerian Olympic Committee, along with Saif al Rashidi, Chairman of the Oman Cycling Association (OCA), who honoured the winners in a festive atmosphere.
This year’s fifth edition features 15 regional and international teams, including national teams from Oman, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Thailand. Continental teams include Madar Pro (Algeria), Jakarta Pro (Indonesia), Victoria Sports Pro (Philippines), Terengganu (Malaysia), Amani (Slovenia), 7 Eleven-Cliqq Roadbike (Philippines), Shimano (Japan), Roojai Insurance (Thailand), European Cycling, and Flanders (Belgium).
The tour consists of four stages: Stage One (yesterday), Stage Two (today, Monday) covering 132 km, Stage Three (Tuesday) spanning 154 km, and the final Stage Four (Wednesday) at 120 km.
SPORT, TOURISM AND INVESTMENT
The Salalah International Tour goes beyond sports it is also a global platform for tourism and economic promotion. The event coincides with the khareef season in Dhofar, renowned for its mild climate and stunning landscapes, offering participants a unique blend of competitive cycling and Omani natural beauty green mountains, expansive beaches and historic landmarks.
The tour contributes to revitalising the tourism, hotel, and commercial sectors through the influx of delegations, teams and media representatives, strengthening Salalah’s position as a promising tourism and investment hub.
From a sporting perspective, the race provides Omani cyclists with a valuable opportunity to compete against world-class athletes, raising their technical level and enriching their experience.
The successful organisation of the event also reaffirms Oman’s capability to host major international competitions to the highest standards, in line with the objectives of Oman Vision 2040, which emphasises sports as a pillar of sustainable development and a healthy lifestyle for society.
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