Fourth Tour of Oman brings out the stars
Roar Rookie By CHayes, 16 Jan 2013 CHayes is a Roar Rookie
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- Bradley Wiggins, Cadel Evans, Cycling, Tour of Oman
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Top riders Cadel Evans, Bradley Wiggins, Alberto Contador, Vincenzo Nibali and Mark Cavendish are now confirmed to compete at the Sultanate of Oman between 11th-16th February 2013 for the fourth edition of the Tour of Oman.
World Champion Philippe Gilbert will join fellow elite cyclists in a 938.6km six stage tour through mostly-flat terrain which is peppered with hills.
The tour cruises along the coastline of the Sea of Oman and includes the Green Mountain summit finish at Jebel Al Akhdar.
With a gradient of 10.3 percent over a winding 5.8km, the summit finish proves to be one of the highlights and true tests of the Tour.
Race organiser Eddy Merckx comments that “The line-up for the event this year, the competition’s fourth year, is simply outstanding. It is all thanks to the willingness of the Omani authorities and the incredible reception of the Omani people”.
The official line up boasts 18 teams including Australias Orica GreenEDGE accompanied by Omega Pharma Quick-Step, Saxo – Tinkoff, BMC, Radioshack – Leopard, AG2R La Mondiale, FDJ, Cannondale, Astana, Argos – Shimano, Vacansoleil – DCM, Sky and Katusha.
There are also national teams from China, Germany, Ireland, Japan and Switzerland.
The race consists of six stages:
Stage 1, Monday 11 February: Al Musannah – Sultan Qaboos University (162km)
Stage 2, Tuesday 12 February: Fanja in Bidbid – Al Bustan (146km)
Stage 3, Wednesday 13 February: Nakhal Fort – Wadi Dayqah Dam (190km)
Stage 4, Thursday 14 February: Al Saltiyah in Samail – Jabal Al Akhdhar / Green Mountain (152.5km)
Stage 5, Friday 15 February: Al Alam Palace – Ministry of Housing in Boshar (144km)
Stage 6, Saturday 16 February: Hawit Nagam Park – Muttrah Corniche (144km).
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- Bradley Wiggins, Cadel Evans, Cycling, Tour of Oman
January 16th 2013 @ 1:10pm
Lee Rodgers said | January 16th 2013 @ 1:10pm | Report comment
I was fortunate enough to race in Oman last year. What a trip it was to have Mr. Eddy Merckx standing in front of me with the chequered flag!
On the days when the wind is up this, and the Tour of Qatar, can provide ridiculously hard days. Everyone hates riding in the wind and the desert cross-winds are just about the worst I’ve encountered. Everyone except the Belgians and the Dutch, that is, who hit the front and drive like mad, and some guys (like myself, one very hard day) can get dropped in the first 5km. After getting dropped every day in 2011, the Iranian team, to a man, vowed never to return!
Good luck to the Aussies, if Durbridge is going he could do very well.