Etixx-Quick Step, winner of the last four editions, is the notable absentee from the 2016 Tour of Qatar which will be held between the 8th and 12th of February. The organizers have announced 18 participating teams among which eight are from the WorldTour.

This yea Niki Terpstra repeated his 2014 win, beating Maciej Bodnar and Alexander Kristoff into the minor podium positions. Mark Cavendish won in 2013 while Tom Boonen has 22 stage wins and overall victories in 2006, 2008, 2009 and 2012. However, the Belgian team will not be racing in 2016.

AG2R La Mondiale, Astana, BMC Racing Team, Giant-Alpecin, Dimension Data, Katusha, Lampre-Merida and LottoNL-Jumbo are the WorldTour teams in attendance which marks a significant decrease compared to 2015. Bora-Argon18, CCC Sprandi-Polkowice, Cult Energy, Drapac, Fortuneo-Vital Concept, Roompot, Topsport Vlaanderen,Skydive Dubai, UnitedHealthcare and Wanty-Gobert complete the field.

The Tour of Qatar is held after the Dubai Tour (February 3-6) and is followed by the Tour of Oman (February 17-22).