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After three editions characterised by sporting success and popular fervour, the Tour of Oman takes a step up this year. With 18 teams at the starting line, two more than in previous years, a total of 144 riders will set off from Al Musannah tomorrow. Broadcast to 180 countries, the fourth edition of the race augurs a great spectacle, with an exceptional line-up of riders.

From Wiggins to Contador, plus Evans, Nibali, Froome and Rodriguez, the best stage race riders have arrived in Muscat to take on the steep roads of the Sultanate, particularly on Thursday near the summit of Jabal Al Akhdhar (‘the Green Mountain’). The main classic race chasers – headed by Boonen, Cancellara and Gilbert – have also responded to the call and will try and impose their all-terrain skills on the race. As for the sprinters, the last holder of the green jersey in the Tour de France, Peter Sagan, will have to watch out for the Germans Kittel and Degenkolb, the Italian Benatti or the Australian Matthew Goss in the sprint finishes.

The day before the Tour of Oman 2013 starts, the route and the main features of the race were presented in Muscat today by Director-General Saif Bin Suba’a Al Rashidi from Muscat Municipality and head of the Oman Cycling Association. He was accompanied by five-time winner of the Tour de France Eddy Merckx and Thierry Gouvenou, Sport Manager of Amaury Sport Organisation.

Saif Bin Suba’a Al Rashidi said: “Oman is proud that our young race has captured the hearts of some of the greatest cyclists in the world.  As the flagship event of our month long heritage and cultural Muscat Festival we believe this race embodies the values of leadership, teamwork, inclusivity and competitive spirit that will act as inspiration to our next generation.”

Eddy Merckx said: “The Sultanate of Oman is the ideal place for a cycle race. From the flat and windy roads along the Sea of Oman to the mountains in the interior of the country, the 2013 race provides a variety of terrains that can suit both sprinters and climbers. The presence of the best riders in the peloton will make this race particularly exciting and interesting to follow. Whoever dons the red jersey as overall leader next Saturday on the corniche of Matrah will be, by definition, an excellent rider.”

Thierry Gouvenou said: “The Tour of Oman is only in its fourth edition, but it has already become a leading race, and a major one at the start of the season. 180 countries will broadcast the event. The best riders, including three of the last four winners of the Tour de France, will be at the starting line. This shows just how attractive and important the race has become.”

Peter Velits, defending Tour of Oman champion said: "I've been in Oman since Monday. It's going to be quite special for me to be here again. Last year this race gave me the first victory as a professional in a stage race. It was a moment I will never forget. For sure, it would be nice to be there again, fighting again for the victory."

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A whiff of the Tour de France will shortly be filling the Sultanate of Oman. Taking place between 11-16th February, this relative new comer to the world circuit has firmly cemented its position as a key early season race for riders to test their legs and gauge their rivals’ form. And in the year that celebrates the 100th edition of the Grande Boucle, it is no surprise that the top contenders for the yellow and green jerseys all want to race here.

Crunch time will come on Stage Four up the Jabal al Akhdhar (also known as the green mountain). The inclusion of this fearsome climb (5.8 km at an average gradient of 10.3%), at this stage of the season, will provide a real challenge for three of the four most recent Tour de France winners: Bradley Wiggins, Cadel Evans and Alberto Contador. It will be no less difficult for those who are vying to follow in their footsteps: Christopher Froome, Vincenzo Nibali, and Joaquim Rodríguez.

The winner of this stage during the last two years has secured overall victory of this race. Whether the winner will join previous winners Peter Velits (2012) and Fabian Cancellara (2010), both of whom are on the start line this year, with the honour of the Tour of Oman’s winners’ red jersey, is yet to be seen.

The other five stages will be no less difficult. Unfolding against the dramatic backdrop and majestic beauty of the Sultanate, these fast and relatively flat stages will provide opportunities for the sprinters and attackers to also shine —and the race also boasts lots of talent in this department. The main challengers to Peter Sagan, last year’s green jersey winner, include Team Argos-Shimano's teutonic twosome of John Degenkolb and Marcel Kittelas well as up-and-coming Italian Sacha Modolo and his fellow countryman Daniele Bennati. French national champion Nacer Bouhanni, Australian Matt Goss, Belgian Tom Boonen and Dutchman Kenny van Hummel will also look to make their markin the sprint finishes. World Champion Philippe Gilbert may play the sprinters’ spoil if he can capitalise on the rugged terrain around Muscat to grab a stage win!
 

18 teams: main contenders

Australia
ORICA_GreenEDGE: Goss (AUS), Cooke (AUS), Davis (AUS)

Belgium
Omega Pharma – Quick Step Pro Cycling Team: Boonen (BEL), P. Velits (SVK)

China
Champion System: Traksel (NED)

Denmark
Team Saxo – Tinkoff: Contador (ESP), Bennati (ITA)

France
AG2R – La Mondiale: Pozzovivo, Nocentini (ITA)
FDJ: Bouhanni, Jeannesson (FRA)

Germany
Team NetApp – Endura: Downing (GBR)

Italy
Cannondale Pro Cycling: Sagan (SVK), Sabatini (ITA)
Bardiani Valvole – CSF Inox: Modolo (ITA)

Luxembourg
RadioShack – Leopard: Cancellara (SUI), Gallopin (FRA)

Japan
Japan National Team: Miyazawa (JPN)

Kazakhstan
Astana Pro Team: Nibali (ITA)

Netherlands
Team Argos – Shimano: Degenkolb, Kittel (GER)
Vacansoleil – DCM Pro Cycling Team: Marcato (ITA), Rujano (VEN), Van Hummel (NED)

Russia
Katusha Team: Rodríguez (ESP)

Switzerland
IAM Cycling: Elmiger (SUI), Hinault (FRA)

United Kingdom
Sky ProCycling: Wiggins(GBR), Froome (GBR)

United States
BMC Racing Team: Evans (AUS), Gilbert (BEL)

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