Schlagwort-Archiv: ASO

PARIS-NICE 2026

Etappenrennen, Vorschau, , , , ,

VINGEGAARD’S UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Key info:
• The predictions for the 84th edition of Paris-Nice, which will take place from March 8-15, have been revised following the announcement that Jonas Vingegaard will be competing. The undisputed world number two in stage races over the last few years has never won in his first two appearances, but is showing his perseverance and determination by signing up for the start in Achères in the Yvelines department.
• The Danish favorite will face rivals who have already been in the spotlight in recent weeks, such as Juan Ayuso, Joao Almeida, Dani Martinez, Kevin Vauquelin, and Oscar Onley.
• Beyond the challenge of the yellow and white jersey, which will remain up for grabs until the final finish at the foot of the Riviera stadium in Nice, stage victories will also be coveted by sprinters such as Biniam Girmay and Michael Mathews, and even by strong classics specialists who have chosen the Course au Soleil to test their skills in the crosswinds.

Last year, on his final day in the Paris-Nice peloton, Jonas Vingegaard wore the leader’s jersey. But the wrist injury he suffered on the La Côte-Saint-André stage, which he completed in pain and in 16th position, robbed him of any hope of keeping it until the final podium in Nice. The Dane then ceded the overall lead to his teammate Matteo Jorgenson and immediately withdrew from the final days of the race. The title ultimately remained with Visma-Lease a Bike thanks to the American’s success, but the episode, which greatly disrupted Vingegaard’s start to the 2025 season, calls for redemption. It is certainly a happier outcome than the two-time Tour de France winner (2022-23) had hoped for when he changed his comeback schedule, which was delayed following a crash in training.

The list of stage races won by Jonas Vingegaard makes him the favorite for Paris-Nice, one of the few races still missing from his list of achievements (3rd in 2023). But the line-ups assembled by the most influential teams promise fierce competition in all the decisive stages, whether it’s the team time trial in Nièvre (stage 3) or the climbers‘ challenge leading to the resort of Auron (stage 7), among others. On the UAE Emirates XRG side, Joao Almeida will be able to count on the support of former winner Marc Soler and the already impressive Igor Arrieta (23); Red Bull – Bora Hansgrohe is fielding a duo of regulars in the Race to the Sun with Dani Martinez (3rd in 2022) and Aleksandr Vlasov (2nd in 2021, 5th in 2024); Lidl-Trek is counting on the recent winner of the Tour of Algarve, Juan Ayuso, as well as Mattias Skjelmose to make their mark on the race. And perhaps the most impressive armada is being deployed by Ineos Grenadiers, who are certainly looking to repeat the successes of Sky in the 2010s with Kevin Vauquelin, Oscar Onley, Joshua Tarling (key rider for the time trial!), and Carlos Rodriguez.

In Paris-Nice, strong winds can also play a role in stages that are typically suited for sprinters. The road to Montargis (stage 2), for example, as well as the road to Colombier-le-Vieux in Ardèche (stage 6), may select the most enterprising and/or vigilant riders among the sprinters. The main contenders for the sprints, such as Michael Matthews, Biniam Girmay, Phil Bauhaus, Jasper Stuyven, Matteo Trentin, Emilien Jeannière, Bryan Coquard and Axel Zingle, will have to rely on their power as well as their racing skills to win.

22 TEAMS, THE MAIN RIDERS:

Australia
Team Jayco AlUla : Matthews, Durbridge (AUS)

Bahrain
Bahrain Victorious : L.Martinez (FRA), Bauhaus (DEU), Caruso (ITA)

Belgium
Alpecin – Premier Tech : Plowright (AUS)
Lotto-Intermarché : Braet (BEL)
Soudal Quick-Step : V.Paret-Peintre (FRA), Stuyven (BEL), Dainese (ITA)

France
Cofidis : Coquard, Rouland (FRA), Fretin (BEL)
Decathlon CMA CGM Team : Bol (NLD), Bisseger (CHE), A.Paret-Peintre (FRA)
Groupama-FDJ United : Cavagna, Costiou, Gaudu (FRA)
TotalEnergies : Delbove, Jeannière, Turgis (FRA), Cras (BEL)

Germany
Lidl-Trek : Ayuso (ESP), Skjelmose (DNK), Kamna (DEU)
Red Bull – Bora – Hansgrohe : D.Martinez (COL), Pithie (NZL), Vlasov

Kazakstan
XDS Astana Team : Higuita, Tejada (COL)

Netherlands
Team Picnic PostNL : Poole (GBR), Van Uden (NLD)
Team Visma – Lease a Bike : Vingegaard (DEN), Affini (ITA), Armirail, Zingle (FRA)

Norway
Uno-X Mobility : Leknessund, Tiller (NOR)

Spain
Movistar Team : Uijtbebroeks (BEL), Romeo (ESP), Cepeda (ECU)

Switzerland
NSN Cycling Team : Girmay (ERI), Askey (GBR), Sheehan (USA)
Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team : De la Cruz (ESP), Dunbar (IRL)
Tudor Pro Cycling Team : Rondel (FRA), Trentin (ITA)

United Arab Emirates
UAE Team Emirates XRG : Almeida (PRT), Soler, Arrieta (ESP), Sivakov (FRA)

United Kingdom of Great Britain
Ineos Grenadiers : Vauquelin, Godon (FRA), Onley, Tarling (GBR), Rodriguez (ESP)

United States of America
EF Education-EasyPost : Asgreen (DEN), Baudin (FRA), Lamperti (USA)

Tour of Oman – alle Etappen

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1. Etappe: Ministry of Tourism – Bimmah Sink Hole – 171 Km


Molano und Richeze (Plomi Foto)

1 MOLANO Sebastian COL UAE Team Emirates-XRG 04:24:54
2 GAVIRIA Fernando COL Caja Rural-Seguros RGA 00:00
3 THIJSSEN Gerben BEL Alpecin-Premier Tech 00:00
4 BLIKRA Erlend NOR Uno-X Mobility 00:00
5 CAPIOT Amaury BEL Team Jayco-AlUla 00:00
6 PLUIMERS Rick NED Tudor Pro Cycling Team 00:00
7 MIHKELS Madis EST EF Education-EasyPost 00:00
8 GARCÍA CORTINA Iván ESP Movistar Team 00:00
9 COQUARD Bryan FRA Cofidis 00:00
10 DE SCHUYTENEER Steffen BEL Lotto-Intermarché 00:00

Bimmah Sink Hole, Saturday 7th February 2026 – The opening stage of the Tour of Oman unfolded according to expectations, with a largely flat profile, apart from a short climb that triggered the formation of a Spanish-Polish breakaway trio, which was caught with 22 kilometres to go. A bunch sprint then took shape within the peloton on a seaside road where the fastest riders prepared for the finale. In the final hectometres, UAE Emirates XRG sprinter Juan-Sebastian Molano, led out by Rui Oliveira, proved the most powerful. The two-time Vuelta stage winner (2022–23) narrowly beat his compatriot Fernando Gaviria, now riding for Caja Rural-Seguros RGA. The 19-year-old Polish rider Patryk Goszczurny (Visma | Lease a Bike) claimed the gold jersey for combativity thanks to the points he collected during his breakaway, as well as the white jersey.

2. Etappe: Al Rustaq Fort – Yitti Hills – 191 Km

1 VEISTROFFER Baptiste FRA Lotto-Intermarché 04:22:43
2 MULUBRHAN Henok ERI XDS Astana Team 00:17
3 GRUEL Thibaud FRA Groupama-FDJ United 00:17
4 COQUARD Bryan FRA Cofidis 00:17
5 ULISSI Diego ITA XDS Astana Team 00:17
6 TESFAZION Natnael ERI Movistar Team 00:17
7 JEANNIÈRE Emilien FRA Team TotalEnergies 00:17
8 LEMMEN Bart NED Team Visma | Lease a Bike 00:17
9 NERURKAR Lukas GBR EF Education-EasyPost 00:17
10 ADRIÀ Roger ESP Movistar Team 00:17

Yitti Hills, Sunday 8th February 2026 – There are two ways to win in the always unpredictable finale of the Yiti Hills stage. Either by standing out among the peloton’s best puncheurs, as Diego Ulissi did in 2023, or by banking on a successful breakaway, like Louis Vervaeke in 2025, and now Baptiste Veistroffer, the author of a heroic solo ride in the finale of the longest stage of the Tour of Oman (191.4 km). The Lotto–Intermarché rider had already shown his ambition by spending 151 kilometers alone at the front during the Muscat Classic. This time, it was from a five-man breakaway, later reduced to a trio, that the young Frenchman executed a plan he had carefully prepared. The former triathlete dropped his last two companions, Patryk Goszczurny and Tim Marsman, on the penultimate steep ramp of the day to claim his first professional victory solo and take the red leader’s jersey of the Tour of Oman. In the general classification, he leads Henok Mulubrhan and Thibaud Gruel, who contested the peloton sprint on the finish line and are respectively 25 and 27 seconds behind in the overall standings.

3. Etappe: Samail „Al Fayhaa Resthouse“ – Eastern Mountain – 191 Km

1 SCHMID Mauro SUI Team Jayco-AlUla 04:13:17
2 SCARONI Christian ITA XDS Astana Team 00:00
3 TJØTTA Martin NOR Uno-X Mobility 00:03
4 BERWICK Sebastian AUS Caja Rural-Seguros RGA 00:03
5 BONNET Thomas FRA Team TotalEnergies 00:07
6 PESCADOR Diego COL Movistar Team 00:07
7 RODRIGUEZ Cristian ESP XDS Astana Team 00:11
8 HARPER Chris AUS Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team 00:11
9 DOUBLE Paul GBR Team Jayco-AlUla 00:15
10 ULISSI Diego ITA XDS Astana Team 00:18

Gesamt:


Foto Herbert Moos

Misfit Al Abriyeen (Eastern Mountain), Monday 9th February 2026 – The third stage of the Tour of Oman was marked by numerous early attacks, largely initiated by red jersey Baptiste Veistroffer, who once again found himself in the breakaway as part of a seven-rider group. This move was eventually neutralised by the peloton, with the top climbers battling it out on the final 3.8-kilometre ascent on the slopes of Eastern Mountain in Misfat Al Abriyeen. At the end of the climb — approached in less-than-ideal conditions by Valentin Paret-Peintre and Adam Yates after crashes at 8 km and 6 km from the finish respectively — it was Mauro Schmid who claimed the stage victory and took over the lead of the general classification. The Swiss champion, who had already made his mark last Friday by winning the Muscat Classic, is now stepping up to a new level and positioning himself as a credible contender for overall victory.

4. Etappe: Al Sawadi Beach – Sohar – 147 Km


Plomi Foto

1 Blikra Erlend Uno-X Mobility 25 03:09:02
2 Houcou Emmanuel Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team 15 + 00
3 Molano Sebastian UAE Team Emirates-XRG 10 + 00
4 Aniolkowski Stanislaw Cofidis 5 + 00
5 Oldani Stefano Caja Rural-Seguros RGA 3 + 00
6 Pluimers Rick Tudor Pro Cycling Team + 00
7 Gaviria Fernando Caja Rural-Seguros RGA + 00
8 Capiot Amaury Team Jayco-AlUla + 00
9 García Cortina Iván Movistar Team + 00
10 Jeannière Emilien Team TotalEnergies + 00

Sohar, Tuesday 10th February 2026 – A bunch sprint finish was the expected scenario at the end of the coastal route that concluded in Sohar. The day’s breakaway allowed Patryk Goszczurny to further solidify his gold jersey in the combativity classification, but not to dream of winning Stage 4. The two attackers of the day, caught with 3 km to go, made way for a hard-fought showdown won by Erlend Blikra (Uno-X Mobility). The Norwegian sprinter, who had finished fourth on the opening stage, this time managed to beat all his rivals on the line. He finished ahead of very young French sprinter Emmanuel Houcou, 22, who came close to a major upset, and Juan Sebastian Molano, the winner at Bimmah Sink Hole three days ago. The sprinters’ battle did not affect the overall classification leaders. Mauro Schmid will start tomorrow’s final stage in the red jersey, but to keep it he will have to withstand the assault of the pure climbers on the way to the finish at Green Mountain.

5. Etappe: Nizwa – Jabal Al Akhdhar (Green Mountain) – 156 Km

1 Scaroni Christian XDS Astana Team 25 03:23:19
2 Rodriguez Cristian XDS Astana Team 15 + 03
3 Plapp Luke Team Jayco-AlUla 10 + 06
4 Yates Adam UAE Team Emirates-XRG 5 + 06
5 Double Paul Team Jayco-AlUla 3 + 13
6 Quintana Nairo Movistar Team + 16
7 Berwick Sebastian Caja Rural-Seguros RGA + 26
8 Rouland Louis Cofidis + 29
9 Lecerf Junior Soudal Quick-Step + 30
10 Pescador Diego Movistar Team

Endstand:


Plomi Foto

1 1 Scaroni Christian XDS Astana Team 19:33:16
2 5 Rodriguez Cristian XDS Astana Team + 24
3 8 Yates Adam UAE Team Emirates-XRG + 44
4 3 Schmid Mauro Team Jayco-AlUla + 44
5 3 Double Paul Team Jayco-AlUla + 44
6 2 Berwick Sebastian Caja Rural-Seguros RGA + 45
7 3 Quintana Nairo Movistar Team + 52
8 3 Pescador Diego Movistar Team + 53
9 6 Tjøtta Martin Uno-X Mobility + 01:06
10 3 Rouland Louis Cofidis + 01

Jabal Al Akhdar (Green Mountain), Wenesday 11th February 2026 – The final stage of the Tour of Oman delivered a climbers’ showdown on the slopes of Green Mountain, where the week’s main favorite, Adam Yates, ultimately failed to turn the situation to his advantage, despite having won the previous two editions. The UAE Emirates XRG leader, who started the day 32 seconds behind red jersey Mauro Schmid, managed to close the gap on the Swiss rider, but not on Italy’s Christian Scaroni, who produced a flawless climb, showing both patience and strength. Alongside his Spanish teammate Cristian Rodriguez in the final kilometers, Scaroni launched his move in the last 100 meters to claim a prestigious victory atop Green Mountain and simultaneously move into the overall lead. Already a Giro stage winner last year, he now shares this triumph with his Spanish teammate from XDS Astana, who stood alongside him both on the stage podium and in the final overall standings. An Astana blue-jersey one-two had previously been achieved at the Tour of Oman by Alexey Lutsenko and Miguel Angel Lopez, marking the Kazakh team’s fourth overall victory in the Sultanate. The 2026 podium is completed by Adam Yates, recorded in the same second as Mauro Schmid (4th) and Paul Double (5th), who were separated by the countback of stage placings accumulated since the start of the race.

Muscat Classic – OMAN – 176 Km

Eintagsrennen, Ergebnisse, , , , ,


Foto Herbert Moos

1 SCHMID Mauro SUI Team Jayco-AlUla 04:14:36
2 YATES Adam GBR UAE Team Emirates-XRG 00:00
3 PLAPP Luke AUS Team Jayco-AlUla 00:04
4 SCARONI Christian ITA XDS Astana Team 00:13
5 LEMMEN Bart NED Team Visma | Lease a Bike 00:13
6 TILLER Rasmus NOR Uno-X Mobility 00:15
7 OLIVEIRA Rui POR UAE Team Emirates-XRG 00:15
8 MULUBRHAN Henok ERI XDS Astana Team 00:15
9 VANSEVENANT Mauri BEL Soudal Quick-Step 00:15
10 TESFAZION Natnael ERI Movistar Team 00:15
11 PARET-PEINTRE Valentin FRA Soudal Quick-Step 00:15
12 HONORE Mikkel DEN EF Education-EasyPost 00:15
13 QUARTUCCI Lorenzo ITA Burgos Burpellet BH 00:15
14 ADRIÀ Roger ESP Movistar Team 00:15
15 GRUEL Thibaud FRA Groupama-FDJ United 00:15

Al Bustan, Friday 6th February 2026 – A brand-new scenario unfolded in the finale to mark the inauguration of the Muscat Classic’s new status, promoted to the ProSeries this year. In the Al Bustan finale, on the heights overlooking the capital of the Sultanate, a trio broke away on the initiative of two-time Tour of Oman winner Adam Yates, followed by two Jayco-AlUla riders, Luke Plapp and Mauro Schmid. Among them, it was the Swiss champion who proved the strongest in the final showdown, claiming the first victory of a season that is off to a flying start. A double stage winner at the 2024 Vuelta, Schmid had narrowly missed out on a prestigious overall victory at the Tour Down Under on his season debut, beaten only by Jay Vine. In Muscat, he took his revenge on another UAE Emirates XRG rider, with Adam Yates having to settle for second place this time, while former Australian champion Luke Plapp completed the podium.
@ASO

AlUla Tour – 27. – 31. Jänner 2026

Ergebnisse, Etappenrennen, , , , , ,

1. Etappe: AlUla Camel Cup Track – AlUla Camel Cup Track – 158 Km

1 MILAN Jonathan ITA Lidl-Trek 03:36:32
2 FRETIN Milan BEL Cofidis 00:00
3 MOSCHETTI Matteo ITA Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team 00:00
4 REX Laurenz BEL Soudal Quick-Step 00:00
5 MANZIN Lorrenzo FRA Team TotalEnergies 00:00
6 PAGE Hugo FRA Cofidis 00:00
7 BAUHAUS Phil NED Bahrain Victorious 00:00
8 GAVIRIA Fernando COL Caja Rural-Seguros RGA 00:00
9 DE JONG Timo NED Team Picnic PostNL 00:02
10 MIKUTIS Aivaras LTU Tudor Pro Cycling Team 00:04

2. Etappe: Almanshiyah Train Station – Almanshiyah Train Station – 152 Km

1 MILAN Jonathan ITA Lidl-Trek 03:17:59
2 SKERL Daniel ITA Bahrain Victorious 00:00
3 ACKERMANN Pascal GER Team Jayco-AlUla 00:00
4 MOSCHETTI Matteo ITA Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team 00:00
5 MALUCELLI Matteo ITA XDS Astana Team 00:00
6 FROIDEVAUX Robin SUI Tudor Pro Cycling Team 00:00
7 TESSON Jason FRA Team TotalEnergies 00:00
8 FRETIN Milan BEL Cofidis 00:00
9 DE JONG Timo NED Team Picnic PostNL 00:00
10 VADER Milan NED Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team 00:00

3. Etappe: Winter Park – Bir Jaydah Mountain Wirkah – 142 Km

1 VOISARD Yannis SUI Tudor Pro Cycling Team 03:22:00
2 EULALIO Afonso POR Bahrain Victorious 00:00
3 HIGUITA Sergio COL XDS Astana Team 00:00
4 MULUBRHAN Henok ERI XDS Astana Team 00:06
5 VANSEVENANT Mauri BEL Soudal Quick-Step 00:06
6 VINOKUROV Nicolas KAZ XDS Astana Team 00:06
7 ARRIETA Igor ESP UAE Team Emirates-XRG 00:06
8 KOERDT Bjoern GBR Team Picnic PostNL 00:06
9 CHRISTEN Jan SUI UAE Team Emirates-XRG 00:06
10 CASTELLON Jan ESP Caja Rural-Seguros RGA 00:06
11 MUNTON Byron RSA Modern Adventure Pro Cycling 00:06

4. Etappe: Winter Park – Shalal Sijlyat Rocks – 184 Km

1 MALUCELLI Matteo ITA XDS Astana Team 03:30:43
2 MILAN Jonathan ITA Lidl-Trek 00:00
3 BIESTERBOS Frits NED Team Picnic PostNL 00:00
4 FROIDEVAUX Robin SUI Tudor Pro Cycling Team 00:00
5 TESSON Jason FRA Team TotalEnergies 00:00
6 MOSCHETTI Matteo ITA Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team 00:00
7 BAUHAUS Phil NED Bahrain Victorious 00:00
8 VAN LERBERGHE Bert BEL Soudal Quick-Step 00:00
9 PICKRELL Riley CAN Modern Adventure Pro Cycling 00:00
10 VINOKUROV Nicolas KAZ XDS Astana Team 00:00

5. Etappe: AlUla Old Town – Skyviews of Harrat Uwayrid – 164 Km

1 CHRISTEN Jan SUI UAE Team Emirates-XRG 03:36:05
2 MUNTON Byron RSA Modern Adventure Pro Cycling 00:11
3 ARRIETA Igor ESP UAE Team Emirates-XRG 00:32
4 LOZANO Juan Pedro ESP Terengganu Cycling Team 00:32
5 IACOMONI Federico ITA Team UKYO 00:32
6 HIGUITA Sergio COL XDS Astana Team 00:32
7 DE BOD Stefan RSA Modern Adventure Pro Cycling 00:32
8 VERMAERKE Kevin USA UAE Team Emirates-XRG 00:39
9 VINOKUROV Nicolas KAZ XDS Astana Team 00:42
10 MEEHAN Jamie IRL Cofidis 00:44

Endstand/Gesamt:
1 CHRISTEN Jan SUI UAE Team Emirates-XRG 17:23:43
2 HIGUITA Sergio COL XDS Astana Team 00:15
3 ARRIETA Igor ESP UAE Team Emirates-XRG 00:21
4 DE BOD Stefan RSA Modern Adventure Pro Cycling 00:25
5 EULALIO Afonso POR Bahrain Victorious 00:29
6 VOISARD Yannis SUI Tudor Pro Cycling Team 00:34
7 VINOKUROV Nicolas KAZ XDS Astana Team 00:35
8 CASTELLON Jan ESP Caja Rural-Seguros RGA 00:37
9 KOERDT Bjoern GBR Team Picnic PostNL 00:38
10 VANSEVENANT Mauri BEL Soudal Quick-Step 00:39

TOUR OF OMAN 2026

Etappenrennen, Vorschau, ,

From February 7 to 11, the Sultanate of Oman will host a new edition of the Tour of Oman, an international cycling race that brings together the world’s elite cyclists for five stages totaling 856 kilometers through some of the country’s most spectacular landscapes. Much more than a sporting event, the Tour of Oman is a true invitation to travel, highlighting the country’s natural, cultural, and heritage diversity. From the shores of the Arabian Sea to the majestic peaks of the Al Hajar Mountains, the route passes through iconic sites such as Bimmah Sinkhole, Yitti Hills, Sama’il, Al Rustaq Fort, Al Sawadi Beach, Sohar, Nizwa, and the legendary Jabal Al Akhdhar (Green Mountain).

Places not to be missed:
• Muscat, the capital: one of the oldest cities in the Arabian Gulf, combining tradition and modernity.
• The Bimmah Sink Hole, a large cavity filled with turquoise water, formed by the collapse of limestone rock.
• Rustaq Fort, the highest in Oman and surrounded by ramparts, which once included no fewer than twelve towers.
• The heights of Yitti Hills: one of the most beautiful views in the country, a popular spot for hikers.
• The Hajar Mountains in the north of the sultanate.
• Al Izki, the oldest city in the Sultanate of Oman.
• Nizwa, one of the oldest cities in Oman and long the country’s capital
• Sohar, one of the oldest cities in Oman and once considered a major port of trade and navigation in the Indian Ocean. It is often associated with the legend of Sinbad the Sailor, who, according to some traditions, is said to have originated from this city.
• Sohar Fort: built to protect the city and its port, it bears witness to the military and strategic history of the region.
• Jabal Al-Akhdar, also known as “Green Mountain,” and its hilltop oases

5 STAGES, 5 WAYS TO DISCOVER THE SULTANATE OF OMAN

From the coast of the Arabian Sea to the lush green peaks of the Al Hajar Mountains, the Tour of Oman route passes through iconic sites that showcase the Sultanate’s rich diversity.
The first stage connects the Ministry of Heritage & Tourism to the spectacular Bimmah Sinkhole, an impressive natural cavity filled with turquoise waters, nestled between the sea and the desert. This fascinating site, one of the most photographed in Oman, embodies the raw and mysterious beauty of the country’s coastal landscapes.
The race continues to Al Rustaq Fort, one of Oman’s oldest forts and a symbol of Omani history and defensive architecture. Surrounded by palm groves and natural hot springs, this location offers a striking contrast between historical heritage and luxurious nature, before reaching the Yitti Hills, with their steep slopes overlooking the sea.
The next stage takes riders through Sama’il, often considered the cultural heart of Oman. Lined with traditional villages, ancient mosques, and mountainous landscapes, this region reveals an authentic side of the country, all the way to the slopes of the Eastern Mountain, where winding roads and spectacular views intertwine.
From the crystal-clear waters and pristine beaches of Al Sawadi Beach, the fourth stage follows the coastline to Sohar, a historic port city, cradle of maritime legends, and former major trading center in the region. With its beaches, forts, and souks, Sohar reflects the maritime soul of Oman.
Finally, the last stage takes cyclists from Nizwa, the former capital of the Sultanate and a jewel of Omani heritage, to the majestic Jabal Al Akhdhar, the “Green Mountain.” Known for its agricultural terraces, hilltop villages, and cooler climate, this region offers a spectacular backdrop for an exceptional final finish at an altitude of over 2,000 meters.

A JOURNEY THROUGH THE HEART OF OMAN’S TREASURES
• Stage 1 (Feb. 7th – 170,9 km) : From the Ministry of Heritage & Tourism to Bimmah Sinkhole, highlighting the coastline and seaside scenery.
• Stage 2 (Feb. 8th – 191,4 km) : From Al Rustaq Fort to the Yitti Hills, between historical heritage and rugged terrain.
• Stage 3 (Feb. 9th – 191,3 km) : From Sama’il (Al Fayhaa Resthouse) to the Eastern Mountain, immerse yourself in the heart of authentic Oman.
• Stage 4 (Feb. 10th – 146,8 km) : From Al Sawadi Beach to Sohar, a combination of sea and historical heritage.
• Stage 5 (Feb. 11th – 155,9 km) : From Nizwa to Jabal Al Akhdhar, a spectacular arrival in the green mountains.

90. Flèche Wallonne mit neuem Startort, Mur de Huy wieder 3x

Eintagsrennen, Frühjahrskassiker, Vorschau, ,

Die 90. Ausgabe des Flèche Wallonne wird am 22. April im Lütticher Vorort Herstal beginnen, nachdem der mittlere der drei Ardennenklassiker im vergangenen Jahr in Ciney gestartet war. Davon abgesehen weist die Strecke aber kaum Veränderungen auf. Im Verlauf der 208,8 Kilometer müssen wie im Vorjahr elf Anstiege gemeistert werden, wobei die Kombination aus Côte de Ereffe, Côtre de Cherave und Muur van Huy wieder dreimal bewältigt werden muss. Entschieden wird das Rennen wieder an der extrem steilen Schlussrampe in Huy.

Die ASO gab am Mittwoch außerdem die teilnehmenden Teams bekannt. Zu den 18 WorldTeams kommen die sieben Zweitdivisionäre Caja Rural – Seguros RGA, Cofidis, Pinarello – Q36.5, Team Flanders – Baloise, TotalEnergies, Tudor Pro Cycling und Unibet – Rose Rockets.

In Huy beginnt ebenfalls am 22. April wie in den vergangenen Jahren auch der Flèche Wallonne Féminine, in dem 148 Kilometer zurückgelegt werden müssen. Bei der 29. Ausgabe müssen die Frauen neun Anstiege erklimmen, die Kombination aus Côte de Ereffe, Côtre de Cherave und Muur van Huy allerdings nur zweimal, ehe das Ziel an der Mur erreicht ist.

Am Start des Frauenrennens stehen neben den 14 Teams aus der Women’s WorldTour noch die Zweitdivisionäre Cofidis, Laboral Kutxa – Fundación Euskadi, Lotto – Intermarché Ladies, Ma Petite Entreprise, Mayenne Monbana My Pie, St Michel – Preference Home – Auber93 und VolkerWessels.

TdF 2027 GRAND DÉPART GREAT BRITAIN

Etappenrennen, Strassenrennen, Tour de France, Vorschau, , ,

DESTINATION GREAT BRITAIN

Britain is a tapestry of contrasts: ancient castles and cutting-edge architecture, rolling countryside and vibrant cities, timeless traditions and contemporary creativity.
Visitors can experience centuries of history while enjoying modern comforts and dynamic cultural scenes. Whether you’re drawn to royal landmarks, literary trails, or culinary adventures, Britain offers something for everyone.
All combined with the British love of sport, whether it be participating in community sport or watching it live.
This is a nation who is proud to have invested in over 300 major events in the last 20 years, creating many extraordinary sporting moments that live long in the collective conscience.
UK Sport is proud to support the hosting of the 2027 Tour de France Grand Départ, which will showcase the best of Scotland, England and Wales, with millions of spectators lining the streets creating an atmosphere unlike no other.
Britain isn’t just hosting the Grand Départ – it’s inviting you to discover a destination where every mile tells a story.

STAGES OF THE GRAND DEPART
STAGE 1 I 2/07 – EDINBURG > CARLISLE – 184 KM

Heading south from the Scottish capital, this stage could well suit the sprinters, allowing one of them to pull on the first Yellow Jersey. Running through very rural terrain, the route features some magnificent scenery. It’s undulating too, reaching an altitude of 400 metres, but the climbing is almost always on long false flats and there’s only one categorized ascent on the menu. The final section, which is flat and will take the race from Scotland into England, leads into Carlisle where there’s a short finishing straight.

Tour de France 2027 – Grand Départ Great Britain – stage 1 route
STAGE 2 I 3/07 – KESWICK > LIVERPOOL – 223 KM

The beautiful Lake District National Park will provide the backdrop during the opening kilometres. Once beyond Lancaster (km 75), the route will become more rolling and challenging until it reaches the outskirts of Liverpool. With five climbs counting towards the King of the Mountains
classification, this should be an ideal stage for the breakaway specialists. However, those sprinters who’ve got some resilience could well come back into play in the final stretch, which is fairly flat and runs mostly through built-up areas. In front of what are sure to be huge crowds,
the riders will have to remain vigilant, especially on the descent before the kilometre-to-go banner.

Tour de France 2027 – Grand Départ Great Britain – stage 2 route
STAGE 3 I 4/07 – WELSHPOOL > CARDIFF – 223 KM

Taking place entirely within Wales, this stage is not only gruelling but also has an explosive finale and will put the peloton’s team leaders and more punchy performers to the test. Following a pretty straightforward opening 80 kilometres, which will be ideal for getting the legs nicely warmed up, there’ll be a series of long and sometimes difficult climbs, such as the one at Epynt
(3.7km at 7.9%). Beyond kilometre 125, the race will enter the old coalmining area where the climbs will get shorter and steeper. Located 12km from the finish, the Côte de Caerffili (2km at 8.1%) could well trigger a fierce battle that the major contenders will almost inevitably be drawn into. A very fast run through Cardiff will pass close to the 11th- century castle and the Principality Stadium.

Frauen:

Key points:
• The Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift will kick off the 2027 edition with three stages on English roads, a month after the Grand Départ of the men’s peloton in Great Britain.
• In Manchester, the Maillot Jaune could go to a sprinter, after a first stage without any major difficulties, starting from Leeds, the city of Beryl Burton.
• Yorkshire and its pioneers, including Lizzie Deignan, will once again take centre stage on the second day of racing, when the peloton heads to Sheffield, before a third stage in London.

A historic and vibrant Grand Départ. In 2027, the peloton of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift will cross the sea for the first time in its history to take on three stages in England, one month after the Grand Départ Great Britain of the men’s Tour de France. From Leeds to London, passing by Manchester and Sheffield, the route will bring varied challenges. The racing shall be intense to honour the region’s rich cycling history, through lands that have seen the emergence of some great pioneers.

Champions and spectators will gather in Leeds, where the first stage will start on Friday 30 July. The capital of Yorkshire previously hosted the Grand Départ of the Tour de France in 2014. At the finish in Harrogate, Marcel Kittel sprinted to the Maillot Jaune. A few decades earlier, the city welcomed Millie Robinson and gave birth to Beryl Burton, two of the most illustrious pioneers of British and world cycling. More recently, Yorkshire has seen the emergence of Lizzie Deignan, who has achieved multiple conquests on and off the road, and the young prodigy Cat Ferguson.
In 2027, the riders will leave Leeds to head to Manchester, home to British Cycling.
Close to the famous velodrome, the scene of many historic performances since 1994, the sprinters will be able to draw inspiration from the iconic Sarah Storey and emulate the Dutch arrows Lorena Wiebes and Charlotte Kool, whose speed powered them to the first Maillot Jaune in 2022 (in Paris, France) and 2024 (The Hague, Netherlands).

The next day, the peloton will set off from Manchester, cross the famous Snake Pass, and return to Yorkshire. The finish in Sheffield will once again echo the 2014 Tour de France: at the end of stage 2, the overall lead changed hands after Vincenzo Nibali’s late attack. The riders will arrive at the same place, but in the opposite direction. Another change of leader could occur on this occasion.
Finally, the third stage will take place in London, where Fabian Cancellara dominated the Grand Départ of the Tour 2007, before Kittel’s sprint victory in 2014. Emma Pooley’s city, where Wiebes has won the RideLondon Classic three times, will now welcome the stars of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift.
Alongside the route announcement, organisers also revealed Joy, the social impact programme at the heart of the 2027 Grand Départ, that aims to tackle inactivity and improve mental wellbeing, support communities to thrive, and to make Britain more productive and prosperous through cycling.

Marion Rousse, Director, Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift
“The United Kingdom has played an important role in the history of women’s cycling, with champions such as Lizzie Armitstead-Deignan. Starting the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift in Leeds is a strong choice, closely linked to this heritage and to the enthusiasm of a public that knows and loves the Tour. These stages clearly reflect the race’s ambition: to continue growing women’s cycling and to inspire future generations.”

Stephanie Peacock, Minister for Sport, Tourism, Civil Society and Youth, UK government :
“These routes will reach places few other events can and give people another reason to be proud of where they live. All over the country, they’ll see world-class cyclists pass through their towns, down their high streets and maybe even right past their front doors. Events like the Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift bring communities together, boost local economies and inspire more people to discover the benefits of sport. We cannot wait to welcome these iconic races next year.”

ALULA TOUR 2026 MILAN VS MERLIER, A PROSERIES CLASH OF THE TITANS

Etappenrennen, Strassenrennen, Vorschau, ,

Key points :

• Jonathan Milan and Tim Merlier, the two standout sprinters of the 2025 Tour de France, will go head-to-head at the sixth edition of the AlUla Tour, from 27 to 31 January.
• For the first time, the Saudi race is classified in the ProSeries category.
• The finish at Bir Jaydah Mountain Wirkah (Stage 3) has been redesigned, and the battle for overall victory is expected to be decided on the final day at the Skyviews of Harrat Uwayrid.

The promotion of the AlUla Tour to ProSeries status, for the sixth edition of the event launched in 2020 under the name Saudi Tour, comes with the first participation of Lidl-Trek and the return of Jonathan Milan, who vividly remembers winning at Shalal Sijlyat Rocks—his third victory among the 25 that now make up his professional palmarès. In 2022 and 2023, the Saudi Tour marked the start of the season for the young Italian, then riding for Bahrain Victorious. He has since become a sprint powerhouse, claiming two stage wins and the points classification at the most recent Tour de France.

The other major sprinter with two victories last July is Tim Merlier, who made the AlUla Tour his hunting ground in 2024 and 2025 in Milan’s absence. Two wins out of five stages was the price he exacted in each of his two appearances in Saudi Arabia.

The AlUla Tour is a favourite among sprinters, who know they can find three opportunities to launch their season in winning fashion. This will again be the case this year, with returns to historically rich locations in a tourist region famed for the archaeological site of Hegra, its Nabataean tombs, the remains of Dadan, the Sharaan Nature Reserve, Elephant Rock, and more. The Camel Cup Track (Stage 1), AlManshiyah Train Station (Stage 2) and Shalal (Stage 4) are venues where Jonathan Milan or Tim Merlier have already triumphed, and they will once again host what is expected to be a bunch sprint, with no shortage of ambitious challengers beyond the Italian and the Belgian. Matteo Moschetti, winner of last year’s final stage at the Camel Cup Track, and Arvid de Kleijn, runner-up there two years ago, are ready to take up the challenge. Matteo Malucelli, Daniel Skerl, Iuri Leitao, Jason Tesson and Milan Fretin are among the other fast men on the start list.
The succession to Tom Pidcock—third at the most recent Vuelta and whose only stage-race victory to date is the 2025 AlUla Tour—will partly be shaped on the third day, although the finish at Bir Jaydah Mountain Wirkah, where the Briton won last year, has been reworked. There will be no circuit this time, and the finish will be approached from the opposite direction, with the final climb extending over 4.9 km at an average gradient of 5.1%, including the last two kilometres at a steady 7%. The queen stage remains the Skyviews of Harrat Uwayrid, where Maxim Van Gils in 2022, Ruben Guerreiro in 2023, Simon Yates in 2024 and Tom Pidcock in 2025 each claimed both the stage and the overall victory.
While it is clear where the race is likely to be won, Ireland’s Eddie Dunbar—presented last year as Pidcock’s main challenger—now has experience of a race that can be lost on any day due to crosswinds. That has not discouraged him, as he returns to Saudi Arabia as leader of the defending champion’s team (Pinarello–Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team). Meanwhile, his former employer, Team Jayco-AlUla, fields an attacking duo in Paul Double, winner of the Tour of Guangxi last October, and Alan Hatherly, one of last year’s revelations at the AlUla Tour, sixth overall in his first season transitioning from mountain biking (bronze medallist at the Paris Olympic Games) to the road.

For the established riders, the threat will also come from the new generation of modern cycling talents who no longer hesitate to shake up the hierarchy. Topping the list is 19-year-old Slovenian Jakob Omrzel, winner of the Giro Next Gen and a new recruit to WorldTour team Bahrain Victorious. Jan Christen, 21, and Igor Arrieta, 23, are expected to carry on the legacy of Tadej Pogačar at UAE Team Emirates-XRG. Nicolas Vinokourov, 23, continues to progress with XDS Astana Team. Jaume Guardeño, 22, 14th on his debut at the 2025 Vuelta, is emerging as the next great Spanish climber within Caja Rural-Seguros RGA.
A new adventure begins in Saudi Arabia for the newly created American team Modern Aventure Pro Cycling, led by South African Stefan de Bod, who finished fifth last year at Bir Jaydah Mountain Wirkah while riding for Malaysia’s Terengganu CT. “Promotion to ProSeries no longer obliges us to invite the top Asia Tour teams, but we are maintaining the participation of Terengganu CT and Japan’s Team Ukyo, who have always performed well in this race,” explains Jean-Marc Marino, architect of the AlUla Tour route. The inclusion of the Saudi Arabian and Omani national teams also reflects the organisers’ commitment to contributing to the development of cycling in Asia and the Middle East.

Stages
• Stage 1, 27/01: AlUla Camel Cup Track – AlUla Camel Cup Track, 158 km
• Stage 2, 28/01: AlManshiyah Train Station – AlManshiyah Train Station, 152 km
• Stage 3, 29/01: Winter Park – Bir Jaydah Mountain Wirkah, 142.1 km
• Stage 4, 30/01: Winter Park – Shalal Sijlyat Rocks, 184 km
• Stage 5, 31/01: AlUla Old Town – Skyviews of Harrat Uwayrid, 163.9 km


Teams
WorldTour: Bahrain Victorious, Lidl-Trek, Team Jayco-AlUla, UAE Team Emirates-XRG, Soudal Quick-Step, Team Picnic-PostNL, XDS Astana Team.
ProTeams: Caja Rural-Seguros RGA, Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team, TotalEnergies, Tudor Pro Cycling Team, Cofidis, Modern Aventure Pro Cycling.
Continental and national teams: Terengganu Cycling Team, Team Ukyo, Saudi national team, Oman national team.

MUSCAT CLASSIC / TOUR OF OMAN 2026 START STRONG, FINISH STRONGER

Etappenrennen, Strassenrennen, Vorschau, , ,

Key info:
• Now entering its fourth edition, the Muscat Classic will take place on 6th February 2026 and feature on the ProSeries calendar, ahead of the Tour of Oman (7-11 February 2026), which has been a fixture of the international cycling scene since 2010.
• The peloton will include 18 teams, among them 11 WorldTeams, two more than in 2025, highlighting the growing prestuge of the event.
• From the coastal road of Al Mouj to the demanding ascent of Jabal Al Akhdhar (Green Mountain), riders will be tested across a diverse and challenging course that spans desert landscape and Oman’s most iconic peaks.
One more step in the desert. Since the first edition of the Tour of Oman in 2010, the stars of the international peloton have become accustomed to the roads of the Sultanate, but 2026 brings a new dimension to the double event now on offer on the shores of the Gulf of Oman: the Muscat Classic (6 February), created in 2023 as a prelude to the stage race, joins its older sibling (7-11 February) on the Pro Series calendar.

Victory at Al Bustan will be all the more prestigious and loaded with UCI points. The contenders will once again face a hilly and winding course that always makes for a dynamic race. With the final climb of Al Jissah (1.4 km at 9%) just 5 km from the finish, can an attacker make the difference, as Finn Fisher-Black did in 2024? Or will a puncheur-sprinter succeed Rick Pluimers, who made the most of his speed to claim victory last year?

The day after the Muscat Classic, riders will need to have recovered from the first efforts of the week in the Sultanate. For the first stage of the Tour of Oman, the peloton will set off from the Ministry of Tourism and quickly tackle the slopes of the climb of Bushar (3.3 km at 9.8%) before a wind-exposed finale along the sea to reach Bimmah Sink Hole, where Olav Kooij won in 2025.

Another coastal opportunity awaits the sprinters on Tuesday 10 February, when they will race to Sohar for the finish of stage 4. The other profiles feature numerous climbs, with a thrilling crescendo leading up to the final showdown on the slopes of Jabal Al Akhdhar – Green Mountain.

Already on stage 2, puncheurs will need to master timing, power and gear ratios to conquer Yitti Hills. The next day, Eastern Mountain (3.4 km at 8%) shall bring notable differences in the fight for the overall victory with its irregular slopes. Finally, the best climbers are accustomed to battling it out on the climb up Jabal Al Akhdhar – Green Mountain, a summit of February with its 5.7 km at 10.5%.

Who will succeed Valentin Paret-Peintre and Adam Yates, who ruled these heights in 2025? Eleven WorldTour teams (two more than last year) are preparing to light up the Omani roads. Four of the top five teams in the 2025 UCI world rankings are expected to compete, starting with UAE Team Emirates-XRG. They will be joined by six ProTeams and the Omani national team.

Muscat Classic
Friday, February 6th : Al Mouj > Al Bustan (174km)

Tour of Oman 2026 stages
Stage 1, Saturday, February 7th: Ministry of Tourism > Bimmah Sink Hole (171 km)
Stage 2, Sunday, February 8th: Al Rustaq Fort > Yitti Hills (191,5 km)
Stage 3, Monday, February 9th: Samail “Al Fayhaa Resthouse” > Eastern Mountain (191 km)
Stage 4, Tuesday, February 10th: Al Sawadi Beach > Sohar (146 km)
Stage 5, Wednesday, February 11th: Nizwa > Jabal Al Akhdhar (Green Mountain) (156 km)

The 18 teams

WTT – UCI WorldTeams (11)

Alpecin – Premier Tech
EF Education-EasyPost
Groupama-FDJ United
Movistar Team
Team Jayco AlUla
Team Visma | Lease a Bike
UAE Team Emirates-XRG
Soudal Quick-Step
XDS Astana Team
Lotto Intermarché
Uno-X Mobility

PRT – UCI ProTeams (6)

Cofidis
Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team
TotalEnergies
Tudor Pro Cycling Team
Caja Rural-Seguros RGA
Burgos Burpellet BH

National team (1)
Oman National Team

Münsterland Giro 2025

Eintagsrennen, Ergebnisse, , , , , , , , ,

Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin) gewann den Münsterland Giro 2025 wie im Vorjahr im Massensprint. Der 27-jährige Belgier überholte noch gerade rechtzeitig um ein viertel Vorderrad seinen Landsmann Arnaud de Lie (Lotto). Das Podium in Münster komplettierte mit etwas Abstand zu den beiden Pavel Bittner (Picnic).


Alle Fotos von HERBERT MOOS

Von den vielen ins Münsterland angereisten hochkarätigen Sprintern war vielleicht Tim Merlier (Soudal) als Top-Favorit einzuschätzen. Er blieb jedoch nach einem Sturz ausgangs des Kopfsteinpflasters auf dem innerstädtischen Schlussrundkurs erst einmal liegen.

Von seinen zu erwartenden härtesten Widersachern war dann Olav Kooij (Visma) auf dem letzten Kilometer zu weit hinten und eingebaut, obschon das Hauptfeld durch den Sturz erheblich geschrumpft war. Dadurch hatten die besten verbliebenen Sprinter allerdings auch kaum noch Helfer parat.

Den Sprint fuhren dann in besten Ausgangspositionen hinter ihren Anfahrern die Außenseiter Tim Torn Teutenberg (Lidl) und Lukas Kubis (Unibet) an. Während Kubis immerhin noch den 5. Platz hinter Jordi Meeus (Red Bull) belegte, verpuffte Teutenbergs Antritt völlig und er sackte hoffnunglos unterlegen auf den 14. Platz durch.

De Lie sprintete mit Philipsen am Hinterrad nach vorne. An einer Bodenwelle rutschte de Lie kurz die Kette durch. Ob das den Sieg des zuletzt erfolgsverwöhnten de Lies verhindert hat, lässt sich schwer beurteilen. Der siegreiche Philipsen hatten den Münsterland Giro 2025 vor dem Rennen wegen der Startliste als eine Art «Weltmeisterschaft der Sprinter» bezeichnet.

Fr 3. Oktober 2025, Stromberg – Münster
Ergebnis der 19. Auflage Sparkassen Münsterland Giro (191,0km)

1. Jasper Philipsen (BEL) – Alpecin-Deceuninck 4:10:53
2. Arnaud de Lie (BEL) – Lotto
3. Pavel Bittner (CZE) – Picnic-PostNL
4. Jordi Meeus (BEL) – Red Bull-Bora
5. Lukas Kubis (SVK) – Unibet-Tietema
6. Anthony Turgis (FRA) – Totanlenergies
7. Alberto Dainese (ITA) – Tudor
8. Matteo Moschetti (ITA) – Q36.5
9. Madis Mihkels (EST) – EF Education-Easypost
10. Matyas Kopecky (CZE) – Novo Nordisk

Michael Schwarzmann (IsraelPremier Tech) bestritt sein letztes Profi Rennen in Münster: