Salalah – The Tour of Salalah commenced on Sunday marking the start of an intense four-stage race.

Organised by Oman Cycling Association and backed by several entities, including Dhofar Municipality, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, and Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, the race has attracted wide participation.

Thirteen teams from nations such as Thailand, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, UAE, Algeria, the Netherlands and Germany have converged on Salalah to showcase their talent.

The inaugural stage on Sunday covered a distance of 126km from Khor Rori to Ayn Isha.

Cyclists will tackle a 153km route from the wilayat of Sadah to Hajeef in Stage 2 on Monday.

Stage 3 on Tuesday will challenge participants with a 123km stretch from Souq al Hafa to Wadi Darbat.

Wrapping up the tour on Wednesday, the cyclists will face their longest challenge – a 247km race from Ayn Razat to Ateen Park in Salalah – in Stage 4.

Apart from the competition, the tour also showcases Dhofar’s tourist locales, while serving as a platform for Omani cycling talents.

The event intends to hone the skills of local riders, identify standout talents and select the best riders for national teams. Additionally, it’s a training ground for young Omani organisers to refine their technical capabilities.

In light of the event, Royal Oman Police has issued an advisory, urging motorists to cooperate with law enforcement officers for public safety.