Muscat, Oman – Italian rider Christian Scaroni of XDS Astana Team delivered a commanding performance to win the fifth and final stage of the 15th edition of the Tour of Oman 2026, sealing overall victory in a dramatic finale which took place at Birkat Al Mouz in Al Dakhiliyah Governorate on Wednesday.
Scaroni completed the decisive Green Mountain stage in 3 hours, 23 minutes and 19 seconds, mastering the demanding uphill finish to secure both the stage win and the overall general classification title. His teammate Christian Rodriguez of Spain finished second with a marginal time gap, while Luke Plapp of Jayco AlUla claimed third place.
Speaking after the race, Scaroni expressed his satisfaction with the performance. “My performance today made everything come together in the best way. The team did incredible work throughout all the stages. I am very happy. Overall, the Tour was perfect as the organisation was excellent, and I would be delighted to come back again,” he added.
Scaroni’s victory in the final stage confirmed him as the overall champion of the 2026 Tour of Oman. The closing ceremony was held under the patronage of His Highness Sayyid Faris bin Fatik Al Said. The Tour of Oman was organised by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, in cooperation with the Oman Cycling Association and several government and private sector partners.
In the final general standings, Christian Scaroni claimed both the Red Jersey (overall leader) and the Green Jersey (points classification). Poland’s Patryk Goszczurny secured the Golden Jersey as the most aggressive rider. Fernando Pescador Castro of Movistar Team won the White Jersey as Best Young Rider. XDS Astana Team was crowned Best Team Overall of the Tour.
The 2026 edition delivered five days of high-level international competition across Oman’s diverse landscapes, from coastal routes to challenging mountain climbs. The concluding stage began at the foot of the historic Nizwa Fort, the iconic 17th-century landmark, setting a majestic backdrop for the finale. The stage rolled out with 110 riders at the start, following the withdrawal of Rui Oliveira (UAE Emirates XRG). An ultra-fast pace in the opening kilometres neutralised early breakaway attempts, before a leading group formed at kilometre 16, including Juan Sebastian Molano (UAE Emirates XRG), Thibaud Gruel (Groupama-FDJ United), Florian Dauphin (TotalEnergies), Erlend Blikra and Fredrik Dversnes (Uno-X Mobility), and Baptiste Veistroffer (Lotto–Intermarché).
As the race approached the decisive climb toward Green Mountain, the general classification contenders asserted control, with Scaroni delivering a decisive acceleration on the final ascent to secure both stage and overall honours. The 15th edition of the Tour of Oman once again reinforced the Sultanate’s growing reputation as a premier destination for world-class cycling events. Combining elite competition, stunning landscapes, and organisational excellence, the Tour continues to align with the broader objectives of Oman Vision 2040, promoting sports tourism, economic diversification, and global visibility.
