(MENAFN- Muscat Daily) The fifth edition of the hugely popular Tour of Oman is set to be held from February 18-23, with 18 top international teams scheduled to participate.
The 929.5km race, nine kilometres shorter than last year's edition, is still relatively new on cycling's international circuit, but has already proven itself as a key early season race with six stages over varied terrain, including long flat roads along the country's coastline and steep climbs through mountainous terrain.
The routes for the six-stage race was unveiled by Saif Suba al Rashidi, director general, Directorate of Information and External Relations, Muscat Municipality on Sunday.
The first stage of the race will kick-start from Suwaiq Fort on February 18 and finish at Naseem Park in Seeb, covering a distance of 168.5km.
The next few stages will take the riders through various routes in and around Muscat, Quriyat, Nakhal and Bousher.
The hugely difficult climb up Jebel Akhdar at the close of the fifth stage returns with an average gradient of 10.5 per cent over 5.7km. The 147.5km fifth stage will start in Wilayat Bidbid and finish at Jebel al Akhdar.
The last and final race covering 148.5km will start in Al Sifah after which the riders will face a tough climb in Jissa, followed by a steep hike up the mountains in Bausher-Amerat before concluding at the Muttrah Corniche on February 23.
Some of the top performers from the previous editions who are likely to come back again to make their mark include Christopher Froome, overall winner of 2013; Vincenzo Nibali, second in 2012; Fabian Cancellara, winner in 2010; and Peter Sagan, winner of the points classification in 2012 and also winner of the first and second stages in 2013.
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