Preview Muscat Classic 2024 | Jakobsen's debut for DSM-Firmenich PostNL in distant Oman!

As a precursor to the Tour of Oman - which starts on Saturday, February 10 - riders from all over the world will first head to the Muscat Classic, just like last year. The one-day race of the 1.1 category is only on its second edition but already attracts some big names. Over the course of 173 kilometers, several hills will have to be conquered, but the finish line is on the flat, allowing riders with different characteristics to take their chances in the Gulf state. IDLProCycling.com looks ahead!

The race around the Arabian Peninsula was already kicked off with the AlUla Tour, which saw Simon Yates as the winner. Therefore, the Muscat Classic is the first one-day race in the region and attracts most of the names that will also be at the start of the Tour of Oman, which departs a day later. Unlike last year, however, that stage race will again be a traditional five-day event instead of a six-day. The very first edition was perfectly suited for Jenthe Biermans, who won the sprint from a large breakaway group, ahead of his compatriot Jordi Warlop and the Italian Andrea Vendrame. This means sprinters definitely have a good chance on the hilly course!

Practical information Muscat Classic 2024

• Muscat - Al Bustan
• Friday, February 9, 2024
• Participants 
• Classification: 1.1
  

In this article

• Most recent winners
• Course, weather and times
• Favorites
• TV information

Most recent winners Muscat Classic

2023 Jenthe Biermans

Course, weather and times Muscat Classic 2024

The race starts in Al Mouj Muscat and finishes in Al Bustan, on the opposite side of the city. The approach is predominantly flat, allowing breakaways to form early on in the race, but around halfway through the race, it is time to start climbing. Just like last year, riders must conquer six categorized climbs. Except for the first climb of the day, the Jabal Road (3.5 kilometers, 9.2 percent), the climbs closely resemble each other: they are all barely a kilometer long but very steep. The summit of the Al Jissah climb (1.1 kilometers, 10 percent), which is the only one that the riders will need to climb twice, is however only four kilometers from the finish. Which does not leave much time to catch up from the back of the pack!

Weather
Contrary to the gray, dreary weather in Western Europe these days, the sun will obviously be shining in Oman. Temperatures will rise to 23 degrees Celsius, so leg warmers and long sleeves can definitely be left behind. It is also important that little to no wind is currently being forecast, which played a decisive role in the AlUla Tour, and of course, there is zero chance of precipitation.

Times
Start: 11:20 AM locally (8:20 AM Dutch time)
Finish: around 4:00 PM locally (1:00 PM Dutch time)  

Favorites Muscat Classic 2024

The participant list is not yet complete, so adjustments are still possible.

Due to last year's surprising winner and the still hilly course, we are mainly highlighting punchers and sprinters who can handle a hill. Also, due to the currently very incomplete list of participants, we are somewhat in the dark about who to really put forward as favorites.

One team that has announced its selection is Soudal-Quick Step. They start with a particularly young but strong team, including Fausto Masnada, Paul Magnier and Mauri Vansevenant. The Frenchman has started excellently with the Wolfpack and snatched his first pro victory in Mallorca after a fantastic lead-out by his American teammate. Vansevenant also demonstrated early in the season, during the Tour of Oman, that he has excellent legs, and in Oman the Belgian rider with the rather noticeable climbing style will find a course that suits his abilities.

dsm-Firmenich PostNL is betting on two completely different but very high-caliber riders: Frank van den Broek and Warren Barguil. The Frenchman loves short, steep climbs - as evidenced by his many top ten finishes in the Flèche Wallonne - and also has a decent final sprint. Ide Schelling, who is also making his debut for his new team, is another strong rider to watch. The 26-year-old Dutchman of Astana was eighth last year and can be considered one of the favorites this year. Anthon Charmig from the same team should also be capable of making something happen.

At Cofidis, we better keep an eye on Bryan Coquard and Jesus Herrada. The Frenchman found his sprinting legs very quickly but had to concede to Dylan Groenewegen, Tim Merlier or Soren Waerenskjold both in the AlUla Tour and the Classica Comunitat Valenciana. Finally, Jenno Berckmoes (Lotto Dstny) and the Arkéa duo Cristian Rodriguez and Amaury Capiot also stand a chance.

Intermarché-Wanty is bringing a very strong team as well, with Fransesco Busato (fourth last year) and Lorenzo Rota as the spearheads.

Who are the favorites for the Muscat Classic 2024, according to IDLProCycling.com?

Favorites: Paul Magnier and Mauri Vansevenant (Soudal-Quick Step), Ide Schelling (Astana Qazaqstan Team) and Warren Barguil (dsm-firmenich PostNL)
Outsiders: Luke Lamperti (Soudal-Quick Step), Bryan Coquard and Jesus Herrada (Cofidis)
Long shots: Fabio Jakobsen (dsm-firmenich PostNL), Cristian Rodriguez and Amaury Capiot (Arkea-B&B Hotels), Jenno Berckmoes (Lotto-Dstny) 

TV Muscat Classic 2024

The Muscat Classic was added to the calendar for the first time in 2023 and didn't attract much attention. In 2024, the larger cycling audience will have to find a stream to watch the one-day race in Oman. Not surprising, given that the Tour of Oman is organized by the ASO, while the Muscat Classic is not. However, the Muscat Classic will likely be available to watch via various livestreams on Friday. IDLProCycling.com will also bring you the full race report Friday afternoon!