MUSCAT: World’s top cyclists from 18 teams will compete for the honours in the 15th edition of Tour of Oman, which will begin with the one-day Muscat Classic race on February 6.
The Muscat Classic race, which precedes the Tour of Oman, has been upgraded to the ProSeries category in its fourth and upcoming edition.
A new UCI points system will be applied to the ranking of the biggest one-day race on the Asian continent, placing it on a par with the Japan Cup.
The Tour of Oman 2026 will run its five stages from February 7 to 11, Saif bin Saba’a al Rashidi, Member of the UCI Management Committee and Chairman of Oman Cycling Association (OCA), said while unveiling the details of the 15th edition of the cycling.
The cycling world body, UCI’s calendar event is organised by the OCA in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth (MoCSY).
The peloton will include 18 teams, among them 11 World Teams, two more than in 2025, highlighting the growing prestige of the event.
From the coastal road of Al Mouj to the demanding ascent of Al Jabal Al Akhdhar (Green Mountain), riders will be tested across a diverse and challenging course that spans desert landscape and Oman's most iconic peaks.
The press conference at the Grand Hormuz Hotel Muscat was attended by Hisham bin Juma al Sinani, Director General of Sports Sponsorship and Development at MoCSY.
Saif al Rashidi, who is also the director of the Tour, stated that the Tour of Oman was launched in 2010 and has witnessed remarkable growth over the years, becoming one of the most prominent cycling races worldwide. He noted that the race has secured a leading position on the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) calendar.
The 2026 edition will feature the participation of 18 international teams, namely: Alpecin–Deceuninck, EF Education–EasyPost, Groupama–FDJ, Movistar Team, Team Jayco AlUla, Team Visma–Lease a Bike, UAE Team Emirates–XRG, Soudal Quick-Step, XDS Astana Team, Lotto–Intermarche, Uno-X Mobility, Cofidis, Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team, TotalEnergies, Tudor Pro Cycling Team, Caja Rural–Seguros RGA, Burgos BH, in addition to the Omani National Team.
TOUR STAGES
Al Rashidi explained that the race stages have been officially approved, beginning with the Muscat Classic, which will run from Al Mouj to Al Bustan over a distance of 179.17 kilometres.
The first stage of the Tour will start from the Flag Pole in Muscat Governorate to Hawiyat Najm in Qurayat, covering 174.84 km.
The second stage will begin in Al Fayhaa, Wilayat of Samayil, and finish at Al Jabal Al Sharqi in Al Hamra, spanning 193.44 km.
The third stage will start from in front of Al Rustaq Fort and conclude at the Yitti Heights, with a distance of 194.97 km.
The fourth stage will run from Al Sawadi beach in the Wilayat of Barka to Sohar, covering 151.26 km.
The final stage will start from Nizwa and finish at Al Jabal Al Akhdhar, over a distance of 159.27 km.
GLOBAL PLATFORM
Al Rashidi emphasised that the Tour of Oman is not merely a sporting event, but also a global platform for promoting tourism and culture through extensive media coverage across television, radio and social media. He noted that the race now reaches audiences across five continents, reflecting Oman’s rich tourism and cultural diversity.
“The race routes were carefully selected to highlight the beauty and diversity of Oman’s governorates as the Tour of Oman has become a focal point for professional cyclists worldwide. This reflects the significant achievements the event has made since its inception and its esteemed position on the UCI calendar, particularly within Asia.”
Al Rashidi further explained that the transition of several Tour of Oman riders to representing the national team is a clear indication of the event’s sustainability and its success in achieving one of its key objectives — supplying national teams with talented cyclists capable of competing at regional and international levels.
He also announced that the Muscat Classic is one of the most significant outcomes of the Tour of Oman, having been classified this year by the UCI as one of Asia’s top cycling races, ranking immediately after the Japan Cup. It is the only one-day race of its kind on the continent. “Elevating the race’s classification will make the Muscat Classic a key stop on the calendar of the world’s top cyclists and champions, further enhancing Oman’s international presence.”
TOURISM SHOWCASE
For his part, Hisham al Sinani affirmed that the Tour of Oman 2026 builds on the accumulated successes achieved over previous years.
“Oman’s hosting of this global sporting spectacle, with the participation of 18 elite international teams, reflects the high level of confidence placed in the Sultanate of Oman by international federations and teams, and underscores Oman’s strong organisational capabilities and the expertise of Omani youth in managing major sporting events to the highest professional standards.”
Al Sinani added that the Tour extends beyond its sporting dimension to serve as a vital window for tourism and economic promotion. The race routes pass through carefully selected paths that showcase Oman’s geographic and environmental diversity — from coastlines and mountains to oases and historic cities — offering global audiences a comprehensive image of Oman as a safe and attractive year-round tourism destination.
Shaikh Mansour bin Suleiman al Nabhan, Director of Events and Awareness at Muscat Municipality, described the Tour of Oman as one of the Sultanate of Oman’s most successful global sporting events since its inception in 2010. “The rapid technical and organisational development and reaffirmed Muscat Municipality’s commitment to supporting the event and highlighting the cultural and natural beauty of Oman through its diverse race routes,” he added.
Muscat Classic
Feb 6: Al Mouj to Al Bustan (179.2 km)
Tour of Oman 2026 stages
Stage 1: Feb 7: Flag Pole in Muscat to Hawiyat Najm in Qurayat (174.84 km)
Stage 2: Feb 8: Al Fayhaa, Samayil, to Al Jabal Al Sharqi in Al Hamra (193.4 km).
Stage 3: Feb 9: Rustaq Fort to Yitti Heights (194.96 km)
Stage 4: Feb 10: Al Sawadi Beach in Barka to Suhar (151.3 km)
Stage 5: Feb 11: Nizwa to Al Jabal Al Akhdhar (159.3 km)
The 18 teams
WTT - UCI World Teams (11)
Alpecin - Deceuninck
EF Education-EasyPost
Groupama-FDJ
Movistar Team
Team Jayco AlUla
Team Visma | Lease a Bike
UAE Team Emirates-XRG
Soudal Quick-Step
XDS Astana Team
Lotto-Intermarche
Uno-X Mobility
PRT - UCI ProTeams (6)
Cofidis
Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team
TotalEnergies
Tudor Pro Cycling Team
Caja Rural-Seguros RGA
Burgos Burpellet BH
National sides (1)
Oman National Team
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