Tour of Oman route offers something for every rider
MUSCAT: High-speed finishes for sprinters, hilly stages for punchers and Green Mountain for climbers. The 2018 Tour of Oman will have something for everyone as the organisers revealed the route of prestigious event. The ninth edition of the popular cycling race, organised by Muscat Municipality and Amaury Sport Organisation, is scheduled to take place from February 13 to 18.
According to information received from ASO, the peloton will tackle six stages totalling 914.5kms with the race, for the eighth consecutive edition, to feature a summit finish on Jebel Akhdar (Green Mountain), a 5.7 km climb with an average gradient of 10.5 percent.
“This year’s six-stage route will favour the brave —sprinters, punchers and climbers alike. The fast men will fight for the leader’s jersey in the opening stage from Nizwa to Sultan Qaboos University, but a look at the following two stages suggests their joy will be shortlived,” the ASO statement said.
“Sultan Qaboos University will again host the peloton for the start of the second stage, a 167.5 km trek to Al Bustan — familiar terrain for aggressive punchers. Those who come up short in Al Bustan will have a chance to make amends the next day, with a stage starting from the German University of Technology.
“179.5 km later, an 800m climb with a gradient close to 10 percent will separate the wheat from the chaff on Wadi Dayqah Dam. A great chance for revenge after the previous stage. At 117 km, the fourth stage will be short but far from easy. The course between Yiti and the Ministry of Tourism will test the riders’ speed and stamina on the triple climb up Al Jabal Street (3.4 km at 8.8 percent) before the finish.
“February 17 will feature the queen stage of the Tour of Oman for the eighth year running. The peloton will roll out of Samayil with the fearsome Green Mountain looming on the horizon. The suffering will only end after a 5.7 km climb at a gradient of 10.5 per- cent. Finally, the riders will leave Almouj for Muttrah Corniche for a high-speed finale on February 18.”
2018 Tour of Oman route
February 13: 1st stage - Nizwa to Sultan Qaboos University 162.5km. February 14: 2nd stage - Sultan Qaboos University to Al Bustan 167.5km. February 15: 3rd stage - German University of Technology to Wadi Dayqah Dam 179.5km. February 16: 4th stage - Yiti (Al Sifah) to Ministry of Tourism 117.5km. February 17: 5th stage - Samayil to Jabal Al Akhdhar (Green Mountain) 152km. ary 18: 6th stage - Almouj Muscat to Matrah Corniche 135.5km.
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