Sunday 06 / September / 2026
SALALAH: Dutchman Jeroen Meijers sprinted to victory from a seven-rider breakaway on Sunday to win the opening stage of the 2026 Tour of Salalah and claim the first leader’s jersey of the four-stage race.
The 33-year-old Victoria Sports Pro Cycling rider prevailed at the end of the 127-kilometre stage from Mughsail Beach to Mirbat Castle, finishing ahead of Australian Carter Bettles of Roojai Insurance Winspace, with Swiss rider Simon Pellaud of Li Ning Star taking third.
Meijers produced the decisive sprint in the closing stages to secure the win and take an early advantage in the general classification. The result came a day after he finished eighth in the Dhofar Classic, the one-day race that preceded the Tour of Salalah.
The opening stage had been expected to provide opportunities for the sprinters, but an aggressive race eventually saw a seven-man group establish itself at the front and stay clear of the main field into the finish.
Meijers, who won a stage of the Tour of Salalah last year, once again proved his strength in the Dhofar race, timing his effort well on the approach to the historic Mirbat Castle.
The victory also gives Victoria Sports Pro Cycling an early boost in the general classification, with Meijers taking the gold jersey as race leader. He was also awarded the green points jersey following his stage victory.
The first stage began at Mughsail Beach and took the riders through the Dhofar countryside before finishing at Mirbat Castle. The 127km route passed through the Resut area, Salalah and the surrounding roads before heading towards Mirbat for the finish.
The 2026 Tour of Salalah is the sixth edition of the event and is being organised by Dhofar Municipality in partnership with the Oman Cycling Association. The race is classified as a UCI 2.2 event and features four stages covering a total of 496 kilometres.
The tour has attracted 95 riders representing 28 countries, according to Oman Cycling Association chairman Saif bin Sabaa Al Rashidi. The international field includes riders from Europe, Asia, Africa, Oceania and the Americas.
Stage 2 will be held on Monday over 108 kilometres from Dahariz Beach to Wadi Darbat. The route introduces more demanding climbing, with the riders tackling the ascent through Aqabat Hashir and Towai Atair before the finish at Wadi Darbat.
The third stage, from Taqah Castle to Samhan, will be the longest and toughest of the tour at 156 kilometres, before the race concludes on Wednesday with a 105-kilometre final stage from Ain Razat to the Sultan Qaboos Youth Complex.
With Meijers already in the leader’s jersey, the focus now shifts to the climbing stages, where the main general-classification contenders are expected to begin making their moves.
