Tour of Oman 2015: Favourites
The Tour of Oman is the last multiple stage-race in the Gulf region. The route features some tough climb stages and as a consequence quite a few GC riders are here to prepare for the upcoming season. Chris Froome is the reigning champion, who is going to be his successor? (Slideshow route/profile)
Stage 4 and stage 5 are probably going to be decisive. Stage 4 leads to Green Mountain, a climb with an average grade at 13,5% in the last two kilometres, while stage 5 offers four steep climbs op Bousher Alamrat in the last 60 kilometres.
Vincenzo Nibali
Last year Nibali was dropped big time in the Queen Stage to Green Mountain and as a consequence he could say bye bye to the overall. His golden moment was somewhere in July. Odds are the Sicilian takes the same route in 2015, so don’t expect a super-strong Nibali in Oman.
Joaquim Rodriguez
Fourth in the 2013 overall plus winning the Queen Stage to Green Mountain that year. Last season Purito was mostly invisible, still, the old warrior (35) is someone to watch.
Rui Costa (image)
Wearing the rainbow jersey, Costa only took the Tour de Suisse in 2014. While riding with the best in Paris-Nice (2nd) and the Tour of Romandie (3rd), the Tour de France turned out to be a disaster and the Portuguese abandoned. Being only 28 years of age, the Portuguese will see 2015 as a year of revenge.
Tejay van Garderen
Last year’s runner-up in Oman, Van Garderen was strong in the Tour de France also. But in a lot of races in between he simply was too volatile, alternating between stage wins (Volta a Catalunya) and invisibility (Dauphiné). The 2015 season should bring the 26-year old steady performances and confidence.
Thibaut Pinot
Probably the same story as Nibali’s here. Aiming high in his home race, the 24-year old Frenchman will mainly be in Oman to enjoy the sun. Amazing talent nevertheless, finishing third in La Grande Boucle 2014.
Other riders to watch: Rafal Majka, Alejandro Valverde, Wout Poels, Leopold König and Julián Arredondo
Tour of Oman 2015: Images and more
Click on the images to zoom
Tour of Oman Route
Tour of Oman Riders
Watch the highlights of recent races here:
Related articles Brändle takes stage 6, Valls the overall - Tour of Oman 2015 Stage 5 is Neutralized - Tour of Oman 2015 Rafael Valls wins stage 4 at Green Mountain - Tour of Oman 2015 Kristoff outsprints Guardini in stage 3 - Tour of Oman 2015 Stage 2: Cancellara outpowers Valverde - Tour of Oman 2015 Stage 1: Andrea Guardini outsprints pack - Tour of Oman 2015 Route stage 1: Bayt Al Naman Castle - Al Wutayyah - Tour of Oman 2015 Route stage 2: Al Hazm Castle - Al Bustan - Tour of Oman 2015 Route stage 3: Al Mussanah - Al Mussanah - Tour of Oman 2015 Route stage 4: Grande Mosque Sultan Qaboos - Green Mountain - Tour of Oman 2015 Route stage 5: Al Sawai Beach - Ministry of Housing - Tour of Oman 2015 Route stage 6: Oman Air - Matrah Corniche - Tour of Oman 2015 More articles Enter Tour de France pool with €25,000 in prize money
Tour de France 2022: The Route
Tour de France 2022: Riders
Tour de France 2022: GC Favourites
Tour de France 2022 Route stage 1: Copenhagen - Copenhagen
Tour de France 2022 Favourites stage 1: Ganna for first yellow jersey
Tour de France 2022 Route stage 2: Roskilde - Nyborg
Tour de France 2022 Favourites stage 2: For fast men #1
Tour de France 2022 Route stage 3: Vejle - Sønderborg
Tour de France 2022 Favourites stage 3: For fast men #2
Tour de France 2022 Route stage 4: Dunkirk - Calais
Tour de France 2022 Favourites stage 4: Strongman-sprinter skillset recommended
Tour de France 2022 Route stage 5: Lille - Arenberg
Tour de France 2022 Favourites stage 5: Roubaix à La Grande Boucle
Tour de France 2022 Route stage 6: Binche - Longwy
Tour de France 2022 Favourites stage 6: Lumpy race for attackers
Tour de France 2022 Route stage 7: Tomblaine - La Planche des Belles Filles
Tour de France 2022 Favourites stage 7: Attackers or GC clash?
Tour de France 2022 Route stage 8: Dole - Lausanne
Tour de France 2022 Favourites stage 8: Finale for puncheurs
Tour de France 2022 Route stage 9: Aigle - Châtel
Tour de France 2022 Favourites stage 9: Attackers in the Alps
Tour de France 2022 Route stage 10: Morzine - Megève
Tour de France 2022 Route stage 11: Albertville - Col du Granon
Tour de France 2022 Route stage 12: Briançon - Alpe d'Huez
Cycling Calendar 2022
Giro Donne 2022: The Route
Giro Donne 2022: Riders
Vuelta 2022: The Route
Giro 2022 Route stage 18: Borgo Valsugana - Treviso
Like our Facebook page and stay on top of all pro-race information!
