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In a country located on the old maritime silk route and steeped in history, there is most definitely a feeling of anticipation in the air.

The elite international pack has been quick to grasp that the landscapes of the Sultanate of Oman lend themselves to glorious feats. Like the first two editions, a battle of twists and turns is in preparation for those seeking to conquer the Tour of Oman title, won by Fabian Cancellara in 2010 and then Robert Gesink in 2011. The variety of the terrains has allowed the organisers to alternate between stages along the windy but flat coast and over more rugged routes on which fortune will no doubt favour the brave. Indeed, it is at the finish of the 5th stage in particular, with the climb of Jabal Al Akhdhar, that the most explosive climbers will be expected. Andy Schleck, 2nd on the Tour de France 2011, will be a rider to watch all the way up the ascent, as will the winner of the Vuelta 2010, Vincenzo Nibali. However, rivals such as Joaquim Rodriguez, Christian Vandevelde or even Arnold Jeannesson are unlikely to show themselves to be timid in attack. The demanding but relatively short slope (5.7 km at a gradient of 10.5 %) could encourage other types of attackers to try their luck: David Millar, Sylvain Chavanel and Alessandro Ballan could succeed in carrying out a hold-up.

Another confrontation of several episodes will take place over the flat stages, with several group sprints likely, pitting Mark Cavendish against André Greipel, not forgetting other riders with legitimate ambitions on this type of stage: Matt Goss, Tyler Farrar, Marcel Kittel, Denis Galymzianov or Peter Sagan are sure to have their word to say in the outcome.

16 teams: the leading riders

 
Australia
GreenEdge Cycling Team (GEC): Cooke, Goss (Aus)

Belgium
Lotto-Belisol Team (LTB): Greipel (Ger), Henderson (NZ)
Omega Pharma-Quick Step: Boonen (Bel), Chavanel (Fra)

China
Champion System (CSS): Clarke (Aus)

Italy
Farnese Vini-Selle Italia (FAR): Hulsmans (Bel)
Liquigas-Cannondale (LIQ): Nibali (Ita), Sagan (Svq)

USA
BMC Racing Team (BMC): Ballan (Ita), Phinney (Usa)
Garmin-Barracuda (GRM): Farrar, Vandevelde (USA), Millar (GB)

Radioshack-Nissan (RNT): Cancellara (Swi), A.Schleck (Lux)

France
FDJ-BigMat (FDJ): Casar, Jeannesson (Fra)

Great Britain
Sky Procycling (SKY): Cavendish (GB), Eisel (Aut)

Japan
Bridgestone Anchor (BGT): Shimizu (Jap)

Netherlands

Project 1t4i (PRO): Kittel (Ger)
Rabobank Cycling Team (RAB): Tjallingii (Hol)

Russia
Katusha Team (KAT): Rodriguez (Spa), Galimzyanov (Rus)

Thailand
RTS Racing Team (RTS): McCann (Irl)

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For the third consecutive year, following the sporting, popular and media success encountered during the previous editions, the Sultanate of Oman will be the centre of the cycling world from 14th to 19th February 2012, for 16 teams from the international pack.

Whilst all-rounders and sprinters will be in their element on the magnificent roads that run along the Sea of Oman coast, punchers and climbers will also be able to showcase their talents on the country’s steep terrain. The stage at Jabal Al Akhdar (the Green Mountain) with a final climb of 5.8 km at an average gradient of 10.3%, that even reaches 13.5% over the last two kilometres, will be one of the high points of the third edition of the Tour of Oman.

Australia
Greenedge Cycling Team

Belgium
Lotto-Belisol Team
Omega Pharma-Quick Step Cycling Team

China
Champion System

France
FDJ-BigMat

Great Britain
Sky Pro Cycling

Italy
Farnese Neri Cycling Team
Liquigas-Cannondale

Japan
Bridgestone Anchor Pro Cycling Team

Netherlands
Project 1t4i
Rabobank

Russia
Katusha Team

Taïwan
RTS Racing team

United States
BMC Racing Team
Garmin-Barracuda
Radioshack-Nissan

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