Muscat Classic and Tour of Oman: What These Premier Events Mean for Investors and Entrepreneurs in Oman
The fourth edition of the Muscat Classic is scheduled for February 6, 2026, marking a significant step forward in prestige for this burgeoning event. The peloton will feature 18 teams, including 11 WorldTeams—two more than in 2025—underscoring the race’s growing reputation.
The challenging course will test riders from the coastal road of Al Mouj to the demanding climb of Jabal Al Akhdhar (Green Mountain), traversing diverse landscapes from desert terrain to some of Oman’s most iconic peaks.
Since the inaugural Tour of Oman in 2010, international cycling stars have become familiar with the Sultanate’s roads. In 2026, the Muscat Classic, introduced in 2023 as a precursor to the stage race, joins the Tour of Oman (February 7-11) on the UCI ProSeries calendar. Victory at Al Bustan will carry added prestige and valuable UCI points.
Riders will face a hilly and winding course that always produces dynamic racing. The final climb of Al Jissah—1.4 km at a 9% gradient—comes just 5 km from the finish, posing a strategic challenge. Will an attacker prevail as Finn Fisher-Black did in 2024, or will a puncheur-sprinter replicate Rick Pluimers’ winning sprint from last year?
Recovery will be crucial as the riders move on to the Tour of Oman the following day. Stage 1 begins at the Ministry of Tourism and quickly ascends the 3.3 km climb of Bushar (9.8%), followed by a wind-exposed coastal finish at Bimmah Sink Hole, where Olav Kooij triumphed in 2025. Sprinters will find another opportunity on stage 4, finishing in Sohar on February 10.
The remaining stages feature numerous climbs, building intensity towards the decisive summit finish on Jabal Al Akhdhar. Stage 2’s Yitti Hills demands precise timing and power from puncheurs, while stage 3’s Eastern Mountain climb (3.4 km at 8%) is expected to create significant gaps in the general classification battle. The ultimate test awaits on the 5.7 km climb of Jabal Al Akhdhar at a 10.5% gradient, where climbers will seek to emulate past winners Valentin Paret-Peintre and Adam Yates.
Eleven WorldTour teams, including four of the top five from the 2025 UCI world rankings, will compete—highlighted by UAE Team Emirates-XRG. They will be joined by six ProTeams and the Omani national team, promising an exciting and competitive series of races on the stunning roads of Oman.
Special Analysis by Omanet | Navigate Oman’s Market
The expansion of the Muscat Classic with 18 teams, including 11 WorldTeams, signals Oman’s rising prominence in international cycling, offering a unique platform for tourism and sports-related businesses to capitalize on global exposure. Smart investors should consider opportunities in hospitality, sports marketing, and event management, while recognizing the need to support infrastructure and athlete recovery services to sustain this growing event. This dynamic sporting calendar enhances Oman’s profile, presenting both brand-building potential and economic growth avenues in the sports tourism sector.
