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Blazing a New Cycling Trail in Oman

The Middle East is adding another jewel to its sporting crown at the start of 2010, the Tour of Oman.  Following the success of the men’s Tour of Qatar, which has become the immutable start of the competitive cycling calendar, from 14 to 19 February 2010, the peloton will discover the Sultanate of Oman and its warm and welcoming people.

The country’s rich landscape offers riders and spectators a challenging race, framed by breathtaking views ranging from sea to mountains. The riders will blaze through the five consecutive stages of the competition, before culminating in the time trials in the streets of Muscat, the country’s capital.

16 teams and the star riders 

Belgium
Quick Step: Boonen (BEL)
OmegaPharma-Lotto: Gilbert (BEL)
TopSport Vlaanderen-Mercator 

Denmark
Team Saxo Bank: Cancellara (SUI),
JJ.Haedo (ARG)

France
AG2R La Mondiale: Mondory (FRA)
Saur-Sojasun: Casper (FRA), Engoulvent
(FRA) 

Germany
Team Milram: Knaven (NED), Ciolek (GER)

Great Britain
Team Sky: Boasson Hagen (NOR), Flecha
(ESP)

Italy
Liquigas-Doimo: Bennati (ITA)

The Netherlands
Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team: R.Feillu (FRA)

Russia
Team Katusha: Pozzato, Napolitano (ITA)

Switzerland
Cervélo Test Team: Hammond (GBR),
Haussler (GER)

USA
BMC Racing Team: Ballan (ITA),
Team Columbia-HTC: Cavendish (GBR) 
Team Garmin-Transitions: Farrar (USA)
Trek Livestrong

Running from February Sunday 14th to Friday 19th 2010, the 1rst Tour of Oman will be made up of 6 stages and will cover a total distance of 687 kilometres.

Stage 1:
Muscat Corniche / February 14th
Stage 2:
Nizwa – Samail / February 15th
Stage 3:
Saifat Ash Shiekh – Qurayy / February 16th
Stage 4:
Ibri – Nakhal / February 17th
Stage 5:
Wattayat – Sultan Qaboos Stadium / February 18th
Stage 6:
Al Jissah – Muscat Corniche (CLM) / February 19th

Source and more info: http://www.letour.fr/2010/TOO/COURSE/en/oman.html

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On 7th March, the pack will set off on the 68th edition of the Paris-Nice race. After a prologue around Montfort-l’Amaury, which will inaugurate a four year partnership between the Yvelines General Council and A.S.O., the riders will cross through the Beauce region before passing to the west of the Massif Central mountains, travelling through Contres and Limoges where the sprinters should reign supreme.

In Aurillac and Mende, at the summit of the Croix-Neuve climb, the pretenders for overall victory will need to be at the forefront. However, nothing will be certain until the final act.

The Col de Vence climb on the road to Tourrettes-sur-Loup could also give a few scares to the leaders, just like the ascents at La Turbie and the Col d’Eze on the menu for what has become the classic last stage in the country around Nice.

March sunday 7th – Prologue: 8 km
Montfort-l’Amaury > Montfort-l’Amaury (78)

March monday 8th – 1st stage: 203,5 km
Saint-Arnoult-en-Yvelines (78) > Contres (41)

March tuesday 9th – 2nd stage: 201,5 km
Contres (41) > Limoges (87)

March wednesday 10th – 3rd stage: 208 km
Maurs (15) > Mende (48)

March thursday 11th – 4th stage: 208 km
Maurs (15) > Mende (48)

March friday 12th – 5th stage: 153,5 km
Pernes-les-Fontaines (84) > Aix-en-Provence (13)

March saturday 13th – 6th stage: 220 km
Peynier (13) > Tourrettes-sur-Loup (06)

March sunday 14th – 7th stage: 119 km
Nice > Nice (06)

Source and more information: http://www.letour.fr/indexPNC_us.html

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