MUSCAT: Juan Sebastian Molano of the UAE Team Emirates prevailed in a Colombian duel to take the opening honours of the Tour of Oman 2026 on Saturday.
The Colombian rider claimed the red jersey after edging out another Colombian Fernando Gaviria (Caja Rural-Seguros RGA) to the line in a bunch finish.
Molano emerged fastest to finish the 170.9 km Stage 1 from the Ministry of Tourism to Bimmah Sink Hole in Qurayat with a time of four hours 24 minutes and 54 seconds.
Gerben Thijssen swept up third, after Alpecin-Premier Tech delivered arguably the best lead-out but not the best finish.
Molano, 31, also led the overall points classification to take the green jersey and gave UAE Team Emirates-XRG their seventh win of the season.
Polish rider Patryk Goszczurny, 19, of Team Visma | Lease a Bike claimed the gold jersey, while also securing the white jersey as the best young rider (Under-21).
Speaking after his victory, Molano said: “I am very happy with this win in the first stage of the Tour of Oman. It is a special victory for me and for UAE Team Emirates. The race was fast and highly competitive from the very first kilometres, but thanks to the great support of my team-mates, I was able to position myself perfectly in the final metres and secure the win.”
“Wearing the red jersey as the overall leader, along with the green jersey for the points classification, gives me a huge motivation for the coming stages. The Tour of Oman is an important race on the international cycling calendar, and its organisation and varied routes make it both exciting and challenging. We will continue to work as a team to defend the lead and aim for positive results in the remaining stages,” the Colombian added.
SCENIC STAGE
The first stage was officially flagged off by Sayyid Ahmed bin Hilal al Busaidy, Wali of Bausher. The route started from Al Khuwair Square, passing through several key areas of Muscat before concluding at the scenic Hawiyat Najm in Qurayat. The stage route took riders from Al Khuwair towards the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning (MoHUP), turning right onto Culture Street and crossing the Ministries Bridge.
The peloton then continued past Doha Al Adab Street, joining the expressway towards Bausher Heights and the mountain road. Riders passed through Al Amerat, Al Hajir Roundabout, and across Al Masarat Hospital Bridge, before heading through Jahlout Al Sareen and Al Suwaqim to Qurayat. The final descent led towards Fins Beach, with the stage concluding at Hawiyat Najm, one of Oman’s most iconic natural landmarks.
The stage awards ceremony was held in presence of Dr Marwan bin Juma al Juma, Board Member of the Oman Olympic Committee and Chairman of the Oman Hockey Association.
Oman national team riders fared well with Mazin al Riyami finishing 41st with the same time as the winner (04:24:54). Other Omani riders, 67 Abdulrahman al Yaqoobi (67), Asad al Habsi (70), Said al Rahbi (84) and Mohammed al Wahibi (96) all completed the race in the same time as 114 riders clocked the same. Hazaa al Habsi (122) in 04:27:18 was one position better than the last rider.
Tour of Oman Stage 1 Results
(Read as rank, rider, country, team, time)
1. Juan Sebastian Molano (COL) – UAE Team Emirates XRG – 04:24:54
2. Fernando Gaviria (COL) – Caja Rural-Seguros RGA – 04:24:54
3. Gerben Thijssen (BEL) – Alpecin-Premier Tech – 04:24:54
4. Erlend Blikra (NOR) – UNO-X Mobility – 04:24:54
5. Amaury Capiot (BEL) – Team Jayco AlUla – 04:24:54
6. Rick Pluimers (NED) – Tudor Pro Cycling Team – 04:24:54
7. Madis Mihkels (EST) – EF Education – Easypost – 04:24:54
8. Ivan Garcia Cortina (ESP) – Movistar Team – 04:24:54
9. Bryan Coquard (FRA) – Cofidis – 04:24:54
10. Steffen de Schuyteneer (BEL) – Lotto Intermarche – 04:24:54
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
