After the first four editions, whose sporting success was crowned by massive popular support, the Tour of Oman will once again be a pivotal early season event for 18 world elite teams.

 

The best riders in the peloton will come to the Sultanate of Oman from February 18 to 23 to try and follow in the footsteps of Christopher Froome, who took the race in 2013 before going on to win the Tour de France the following July.

 

The six stages on the menu of the 2014 Tour of Oman will take the 144-strong field through 915.5 kilometres of varied terrain against a backdrop of stunning landscapes between sea and mountains. There will be something for everyone between the flat, windswept roads along the coast of the Gulf of Oman and the rugged terrain further inland. Stage 5 will culminate in a summit finish atop the Jebel Akhdar, a 5.8 km climb with an average gradient of 10.3%. The "Green Mountain" will be the highlight of the race for the fourth year running, and whoever pulls on the red leader's jersey at the end of the stage will, in all probability, not be far from the overall victory on Matrah Corniche the following day.

 

The 18 participating teams

Ag2r La Mondiale (FRA)

Astana Pro Team (KAZ)

Bardiani CSF (ITA)

Belkin – Pro Cycling Team (NED)

BMC Racing Team (USA)

Cannondale Pro Cycling (ITA)

FDJ.fr (FRA)

IAM Cycling (SUI)

Katusha Team (RUS)

Lotto Belisol (BEL)

Omega Pharma – Quick Step Cycling Team (BEL)

Orica-GreenEDGE (AUS)

Team NetApp – Endura (GER)

Team Sky (GBR)

Tinkoff Saxo (DEN)

Topsport Vlaanderen – Baloise (BEL)

Trek Factory Racing (USA)

UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team (USA)

 

Stages

Stage 1, Tuesday, February 18: As Suwayq Castle – Naseem Garden (164.5 km)

Stage 2, Wednesday, February 19: Al Bustan – Qurayyat (139 km)

Stage 3, Thursday, February 20: Bank Muscat – Al Bustan (145 km)

Stage 4, Friday, February 21: Wadi Al Abiyad – Ministry of Housing (173 km)

Stage 5, Saturday, February 22: Bidbid – Jebel Akhdar / Green Mountain (147.5 km)

Stage 6, Sunday, February 23: As Sifah – Matrah Corniche (146.5 km)