Salalah – Tour of Salalah – an internationally recognised cycling event of Dhofar – concluded on Wednesday with the final stage culminating at Darbat Waterfalls.

This year’s event, jointly organised by Dhofar Municipality, the Oman Cycling Association, and the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Youth, was a showcase of both local and international cycling prowess.

The international cycling tour saw participation from 90 cyclists representing 15 teams from across Asia, Africa, and Europe. In the climactic fourth stage, Algerian cyclist Yassin Hamza took first place in a challenging 133km race from Al Mughsail to Darbat Waterfalls.

Achieving significant milestones this year, the tour earned international recognition after getting included in the International Cycling Union’s calendar. This elevated status attracted top-tier teams such as the UAE national team, Algeria’s Madar Pro Cycling team, Japan’s Shimano Racing team and Belgium’s Flanders team, among others.

In the general classification, Brazilian cyclist Nicolas Cesar was crowned the overall winner, donning the prestigious golden jersey. Dutch rider Quentin Fling secured the green jersey for the best time classification, while Moroccan cyclist Ibrahim al Sabbahi claimed the white jersey for being the best under-23 rider. The grey jersey went to Mongolian cyclist Benjarar.

The tour comprised four stages, beginning with a 131km race from the Wilayat of Sadah to the Fort of the Wilayat of Mirbat. The second stage covered 120km from the beach of Dahariz to Wadi Darbat, followed by a 119km stage from the market of Al Hafa to Itin Park.

The final stage, spanning 133km, scripted the end of the tour with a race from Al Mughsail to Darbat Waterfalls.