Sunday 02 / February / 2025
MUSCAT: The 14th edition of the Tour of Oman, running from February 8-12, 2025, is set to ignite the cycling season with a challenging mix of terrains and high-stakes competition.
Riders will face a tough combination of sprinter-friendly stages and intense mountain climbs, with the climbers particularly eyeing Jabal Al Akhdhar (Green Mountain) summit to crown the overall winner.
Reigning champion Adam Yates will defend his title against a strong field, including top challengers like David Gaudu, Diego Ulissi, and Mauri Vansevenant.
With the title likely to be decided in the race's two mountain stages, the 2025 edition promises a thrilling contest from start to finish.
Muscat Classic on February 7
Before the Tour of Oman, the action begins with the third edition of the Muscat Classic on February 7.
This 170.3 km race promises to be a battleground for puncheurs, with an exhilarating finale featuring climbs like Bausher Al Amerat and Al Jissah.
Last year’s winner Finn Fisher-Black will return to defend his title, and riders such as Valentin Madouas (Groupama–FDJ) and Diego Ulissi (XDS Astana) will add to the intensity, making it a must-watch prelude to the main event.
The Tour of Oman will kick off with a flat, high-speed stage from Baushar to the dramatic Bimmah Sink Hole, where sprinters like Olav Kooij (Visma–Lease a Bike), Fernando Gaviria (Movistar), and Giacomo Nizzolo (Q36.5) will vie for the win. The following day, the peloton will tackle the steep climbs of Yitti Hills and the explosive Qantab climb, setting the stage for intense GC (general classification) battles.
Stage 3, featuring the tough Eastern Mountain (4.6 km at 8.5%), promises further selection, with the toughest riders, including Yates, ready to make their mark.
The final sprint showdown will occur on the mostly flat stage 4, leading to the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre, but the final GC contenders will emerge during the final stage up Jabal Al Akhdar. The 5.7 km climb, with an average gradient of 10.5%, is where riders like Yates, Vansevenant, and Gaudu will fight for the prestigious title.
The race will feature 18 teams, including the UAE Team Emirates-XRG led by Adam Yates, alongside other UCI WorldTour teams like Movistar and Groupama–FDJ. Promising newcomers like Cian Uijtdebroeks (Visma–Lease a Bike) and David Gaudu (Groupama–FDJ) will also bring fresh energy to the race, ensuring an unpredictable and thrilling competition.
Stage breakdown:
Muscat Classic (7 February): Al Mouj > Al Bustan (174 km)
Stage 1 (8 February): Baushar > Bimmah Sink Hole (170 km)
Stage 2 (9 February): Al Rustaq Fort > Yitti Hills (203 km)
Stage 3 (10 February): Fanja > Eastern Mountain (181 km)
Stage 4 (11 February): Oman Across Ages Museum > Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre (181.5 km)
Stage 5 (12 February): Imty > Jabal Al Akhdar (Green Mountain) (139 km)
With a stellar lineup and challenging stages ahead, the Tour of Oman 2025 promises to be a breathtaking spectacle as the peloton battles it out on the roads of the Sultanate of Oman.
