Entry registration is now open for the new and challenging Haute Route Oman road cycling event, which is already being hailed as a ‘must-do’ experience.
With pre-interest high for the 1- 3 March 2019 event, the race is now on to secure a place in the peloton for what is going to be one of the most challenging tests for amateur road racers in one of the most unique settings on the Haute Route calendar.
The world-renowned Haute Route events offer a ‘professional’ road cycling experience for keen amateur cyclists of all abilities, providing high-end hospitality, rider services and expert event management in a setting that exactly mirrors the culture of the professional road racing circuit.
Designed to highlight Oman’s natural beauty, Haute Route Oman will take riders approximately 370kms with over 6,500 metres of vertical gain on a course that will test stamina and skill with long, high-altitude mountain climbs and sweeping descents. Full course information will be announced in the coming months, but the event will include two classic mass start stages and an individual time trial.
The centrepiece of the Haute Route Oman experience is the magnificent Al Hajar mountain range and the iconic Jebel Akhdar (the Green Mountain), one of the country’s most spectacular locations. The Hajar mountains offer severe and scenic climbs, which are every bit the equal of anything in the Alps, Pyrenees, Rockies or Dolomites, notes a press release from Oman Sail. Conditions in March will offer ideal, mid to low 20°C temperatures.
Oman has been described as a beacon of tranquillity and was ranked the fourth safest country in the world by the World Economic Forum in 2017, with the country and its capital Muscat named ‘must-see’ destinations by both National Geographic and Lonely Planet. The country is renowned for its soaring mountains, shimmering deserts, crystal clear waters, atmospheric souqs and a welcoming doorway to an authentic Arabian experience.
“Our objective is to deliver a unique experience for amateur cyclists, with Oman’s stunning environment and welcoming culture, we know Haute Route Oman will be another must-do event for riders coming from all continents,” said Rémi Duchemin, Haute Route CEO.
The event is managed by the world-class event organiser, Oman Sail. CEO David Graham said: “Haute Route Oman will deliver legendary mountain ascents, some of which will join the group of ‘the world’s most renowned, mythical and tough climbs’. This is an opportunity to be among the first to tackle them in this inaugural event.”
Haute Route Oman is sure to appeal to both regionally-based amateur cyclists keen to immerse themselves in the Haute Route professional experience, and international riders seeking a new challenge amid the natural wonders of Oman. With limited entries, it is expected that the event will be quickly oversubscribed!
Early bird registrations can secure a 15 per cent discount. Registration can now be made at: https://www.hauteroute.org/%20events/overview/oman-2019