Tour of Oman leaves lasting legacy
Over the last five years the race has become one of the most competitive events globally. This year, 144 cyclists from 18 teams fought it out for the pennant in some of Oman’s most picturesque locations across a distance of 940km
NISHAD PADIYARATH nishad@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: The fifth edition of the Tour of Oman held last month has left a lasting legacy, according to Salim Al Hasani, committee member for sports events at Muscat Municipality.
Speaking to Times Sport, Al Hasani said the race managed to attract the world’s top cyclists and teams, and is being considered a world class platform and a pre-season training ground for competitive cycling.
“We have received huge response from people who have come to see the race and from those cyclists who took part in it. I must say that we have grown over the last five years and globally, the race has now become one among the most competitive sports. This tour has certainly left a lasting legacy,” said Al Hasani, who is also a member of the committee for the Tour of Oman.
This edition saw 144 cyclists from 18 teams fighting it out for the pennant in some of Oman’s most picturesque locations across a distance of 940km.
Over the last five years, big names in international cycling, including Sir Bradley Wiggins, Tom Boonen, Fabian Cancellera, Mark Cavendish, Cadel Evans, Alberto Contador and Chris Froome participated in the race. “Every year, we change the routes for the riders to explore and most of these places are so challenging to ride. That is why the race has become so successful,” he said.
Britain’s Froome, who won the Tour de France title last year, retained the €104,330 prize-money of Tour of Oman championship.
According to Al Hasani, the showpiece event was broadcast in 180 countries and the organisers have plans to telecast it live in the future.
“When we started in 2010, we broadcast in 110 countries. Now that reach has increased. With huge demand from our audiences across the globe, we have plans to telecast it live. That is what we are looking at,” he noted.
He also appreciated the widespread print media coverage for the tour. “We have come to know that 362 articles were published only about the tour in Belgium, France and Switzerland,” he said.
Al Hasani also informed that visitors from Europe and GCC countries had come to witness the six-day tour. “Most of our visitors from GCC countries, especially from the UAE, came by car to see the race. Such is the popularity of this championship,” he said.
Speaking about the future of the tour, Habib Al Zawawi, sports supervisor at Muscat Municipality, said that talks are on with Amaury Sports Organisation (ASO) to renew the contract that ends next year.
“The inaugural edition, which was held in 2010, was a test event and the agreement with ASO came into effect only in 2011. So the agreement ends next year but the talks are already on and we are confident that it will be renewed,” Al Zawawi added.