Nine years after its last appearance, Visma | Lease a Bike is returning to Oman, where a "new" race awaits
Cycling
This year, Visma | Lease a Bike will compete in the Tour of Oman for the first time since 2016. The day before the stage race begins, the Dutch team will also take part in the Muscat Classic, which is also organized by the ASO. This marks the team's debut in the Muscat Classic, which has only been held since 2023.
On Tuesday, the organizers of the Tour of Oman revealed details about the 2025 edition. The event will once again be preceded by the Muscat Classic, introduced in 2023 to make it more attractive for teams by offering additional WorldTour points. Jenthe Biermans won the inaugural edition, while Finn Fisher-Black of UAE-Team Emirates claimed victory in 2024.
The 2025 Muscat Classic features a similar profile, with a hilly route between Al Mouj and Al Bustan. The final stages include climbs like Bousher Al Amerat (3.4 km at 8.8%), Wadi Al Kadir (2.1 km at 7.3%), Al Hamriyah (0.8 km at 9.8%), and Al Jissah (1.4 km at 9%), making it a race suited for punchers and climber-sprinters.
Read more below the photo!
Tour of Oman sticks to familiar course with tough elements
The national tour in Oman begins the day after the Muscat Classic. Stage one will cater to sprinters, while stage two offers punchers another opportunity, finishing at Yitti Hills. Last year, Amaury Capiot defeated Ide Schelling there. Stage three heads to Eastern Mountain (4.6 km at 8.5%), where current Visma | Lease a Bike rider Matteo Jorgenson laid the foundation for his overall victory in 2023.
The penultimate stage is expected to favor sprinters, while the race concludes on Oman's iconic climb: Green Mountain. This 5.7 km ascent with an average gradient of 10.5% has been pivotal in past editions. Robert Gesink secured his overall victory on behalf of Rabobank here in 2011, and Adam Yates did the same last season.
In addition to the course, the organizers announced the participating teams for the 2025 Tour of Oman. Among the standout entries is Visma | Lease a Bike. The Dutch team is one of nine WorldTour teams set to compete, alongside Arkéa - B&B Hotels, Groupama-FDJ, Movistar, Jayco AlUla, Picnic PostNL, UAE-Team Emirates-XRG, Soudal Quick-Step, and XDS-Astana. The lineup also includes five ProContinental teams, such as Uno-X, Tudor, and Q36.5, three Asian teams, and a national selection from Oman.
Participating teams Tour of Oman 2025
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Latest Comments
- This was very informative! Luiz Antonio Duarte Ferreiraluizantonioduarteferreira02-01-2025
- Well explained, thanks for the clarity! Daniel DantasDanieldantas20-12-2024
- This is the kind of 'news' that belongs in a cheap tabloid. No matter how boring the offseason gets, nobody wants to read this.
santiagobenites19-12-2024 - I wish we could have seen him try. He'd absolutely get dropped before Pogi overtakes his domestiquesVeganpotter10-12-2024
- Talk is cheap! Next year barring crashes with a healthy team... all well be on track! Some need to talk to make a headline!mootman27-11-2024
- I do not see this event listed on HBO Max Sports Online? Can anyone confirm? Thanks!
MrYuck23-11-2024 - It seemed that he was focusing forward at the time of the crash, after seeing a quick video snippet. But one thing I think he should focus on more intently is breaking a bad habit he has, right now. And that is his constant looking over his shoulders. He does that so much, that I am very sure it is not good for him. Simply watch videos of the greats of CX and you will see very little of that constant looking over their shoulders. That is a behavior that betrays a bit of insecurity on his part. He shouldn't be so concerned, incessantly, about what is over his shoulder. He needn't worry they didn't all disappear. He neds to keep his focus more ahead of himself, and he needs to pay a bit more attention to himself, in a confident manner. It is very frustrating to watch, because it is apparent that he has a lot of potential, and is in much better shape thwan many of his competitors, but the mental game needs to be sharpened more, because that part of strategy plays a huge part in the final results
reemmo022-11-2024 - hahahaha love this shit! I didnt even watched the race, but reading all the gossip articles of how stupid this is!Zatoichi19-11-2024
- Van Aert is really handsome. He can influence me all day! Ditto for Philipsen. Why do you think many of us love cycling?: to see heroic attempts at climbing mountains at high altitudes or to watch speedsters sprint for the finish line or to watch a human being ride at break neck speed down a tricky descent? No, it's all about their lean physiques and muscular legs. (apologies for objectifying these dedicated and amazing athletes).BarwonHeadsUp25-10-2024
- It is unfortunate that the author can't feel the joy that Pogacar brings to the sport and his fans who are legion and I for one feel lucky to have watched such a memorable performance and historic season From the Strada until yesterday with multiple wins in stages in both tours and beyond dominance in the World's. He is proud to wear the Rainbow stripes, shows his leadership to protect his fellows and is as courteous and sportsman-like as the sport allows. He goes early to not have to respond to each attack as all the rest would make him do it. Any racer who could would do the same. Don't "grow tired" of greatness as it is always fleeting.ccrider13-10-2024