Key points:
 Stars from all around the world have made their way to the Sultanate as they get ready to race the first edition of the Muscat Classic on Friday and then the Tour of Oman.
 The winner of the 2022 Tour of Oman Jan Hirt and his runner-up Fausto Masnada expressed their ambitions as they partner up with Soudal Quick-Step for more success.
 British icon Mark Cavendish is “very excited” for his first race with Astana-Qazaqstan and Belgian Cian Uijtdebroeks wants to “have fun” on Green Mountain.

A new Classic and an intense Tour
The time has come for a new race to rise in the Sultanate. On Thursday, representatives from the Oman Cycling Association and Amaury Sport Organisation held a press conference to present the first edition of the Muscat Classic, the only 1.1 classic in Asia, and the 12th Tour of Oman (February 11-15). “With its explosive course, the Muscat Classic will set the tone ahead of the Tour of Oman”, race director Franck Perque described. The finish is set in Al Bustan, where champions such as Fabian Cancellara, Bob Jungels and Alexey Lutsenko have shown their strength in recent years. Then, more climbing and explosive action await the riders with five stages around Muscat and through the desert. “The Tour of Oman has been ever growing and we are hopeful and confident the 12th edition of the race and the first edition of the Muscat Classic will allow us to meet new ambitions”, said Saif Al Rashidi, president of the Oman Cycling Association. Yann Le Moënner, CEO of ASO, expressed his “pride to develop a new stage of the relationship between us”.

Hirt x Masnada: “To perform like last year”
In 2022, Jan Hirt powered to the overall victory of the Tour of Oman with a strong assault against race leader Fausto Masnada on the slopes of Green Mountain. A year later, the two climbers return to the Sultanate but this time they partner up with a Soudal Quick-Step kit on their shoulders. “It’s a pleasure to race with Jan”, Masnada said. “We were already teammates for a few months with CCC and now we are back together. I like him, he’s a strong rider and we’ll try to perform like last year.” The defending champion Hirt hinted Masnada could take over this year: “We believe we can repeat success and we have strong climbers with Fausto, and also Mauri [Vansevenant]. So we’ll try to win the race. I think Fausto is in really good shape so maybe we will support him.”

Having “fun” on Green Mountain
The demanding routes of the Muscat Classic and the Tour of Oman have attracted strong climbers willing to overthrow Hirt and Masnada. “I’m happy about my condition at the moment and Saudi showed I’m at a good level”, Davide Formolo (UAE Team Emirates) said after he finished 2nd of the Saudi Tour. “Now I’m excited to race in Oman. It’s a new experience for me, a new challenge, and I look forward to Green Mountain. Everyone will be in his place, I just hope to be in front.” Already a podium finisher in the Tour of Oman (3rd in 2019), Jesus Herrada (Cofidis) describes the iconic ascent as “the defining climb of the race. Let’s see if I can do a bit better this year. And we also want to do well from the very first day, also with Axel Zingle.” Among the best climbers of the field, Emanuel Buchmann (Bora-Hansgrohe) remembers he was “completely done” when he did Green Mountain in 2016. And the German champ hints his young teammate Cian Uijtdebroeks could show his immense talent in Oman. “I like long efforts and Green Mountain shouldn’t be too bad for me”, the Belgian 19-year-old says. “I want to have fun, try to go for GC, and if not I want to do well on the final day.”

Cavendish’s excitement and Merlier’s special celebration
Sprinters won’t have many options to shine this year in Oman but the race will nonetheless benefit from the participation of stars such as Mark Cavendish, riding his first race with Astana Qazaqstan, as well as Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step) or Pascal Ackermann (UAE Team Emirates). “I’m very happy and very excited to know the guys better”, Cavendish said. “It’s a good race to do so.” As for Merlier, he won a cyclo-cross this winter with his new team. “If you can win a cyclo-cross, the condition must be good”, the Belgian national champion said. “Last week, I became a father so I’m even more motivated. Let’s see if I can do a special celebration soon.”

50 broadcasters, 190 countries and 5G
Fans from all around the world will be able to follow the action and enjoy the best images of the Muscat Classic and the Tour of Oman. Footage of the races will be available in 190 territories through 50 TV/Digital broadcasters with daily highlights and full race highlights. “The main novelty this year is we are working on providing a live feed with Oman TV through 5G, thanks to the infrastructures of the Sultanate allowing the development of this innovative option that we want to explore in other events, also in Europe”, said Yann Le Moënner, CEO of ASO. All the action and the best images will also be available on social media with live coverage on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.