MUSCAT – Swiss rider Mauro Schmid of Team Jayco AlUla claimed victory at the 2026 Muscat Classic on Friday, sealing his first win of the season after a flawless team performance in the one-day race.

The 26-year-old Swiss champion crossed the finish line ahead of Britain’s Adam Yates of UAE Team Emirates, who finished second, while Spain’s Cristian Scaroni secured third place.

The official prize-giving ceremony was held under the patronage of Sayyid Mundhir bin Saif Al Busaidi, Chairman of the Oman Equestrian and Racing Association, in the presence of Saif bin Subaa Al Rushaidi, Board Member of the International Cycling Union (UCI), Chairman of the Oman Cycling Association and Director of the Tour of Oman.

‘Perfect Job’
Reacting after the win, Schmid described the race as demanding and highly competitive.

“I knew the race very well and I was super motivated today,” Schmid said. “The team did a perfect job to put me in a strong position, and this victory is a great reward for everyone’s effort.”

Reflecting on the closing kilometres, Schmid highlighted the tactical challenge of the finale.

“It wasn’t easy to prepare the sprint. The race was hard from the beginning, but in the final five kilometres we managed to create some space and organise ourselves well.”

He also acknowledged the strength of his rivals.

“The competition was tough, especially against Adam Yates. I had to be fast at the finish, and it was definitely not an easy sprint.”

The Muscat Classic began at Al Mouj Muscat and took riders through Seeb, Al Amerat, Wadi Kabir, Yiti, Qantab, Sidab and Al Bustan, before finishing in front of the State Council after covering 171 kilometres.

Classified as a UCI Asia one-day race, the Muscat Classic awards 250 UCI ranking points to the winner. The points allocation was doubled from 125 to 250 this year, significantly elevating the race’s international standing and placing it alongside elite Asian events such as the Japan Cup—helping attract top professional teams and world-class riders.

Tour of Oman opening stage
Attention now turns to the 15th edition of the Tour of Oman, organised by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth in cooperation with the Oman Cycling Association and several public and private partners.

The opening stage gets underway on Saturday, featuring 170.9 kilometres from Al Khuwair Square to Hawiyat Najm in Qurayyat. The route passes through Bousher, Al Amerat, Qurayyat and Fins, before finishing at Hawiyat Najm—a renowned natural sinkhole known for its turquoise waters and growing tourism appeal.

A total of 164 riders from top international teams will contest the five-day race, which runs until Wednesday.

Since its launch, the Tour of Oman has established itself as a premier fixture on the global cycling calendar, drawing elite riders, extensive international media coverage and worldwide audiences. Broadcast images highlighting Oman’s coastline, mountains and landscapes continue to strengthen the Sultanate’s profile as a leading destination for major international sporting events.