This really looks good, Cunego. Great result for Goss in Qatar. I am also playing OGE career at the moment and i am really enjoying it. Hope you can enjoy your career/story even more and get some motivation to continue it even after Qatar.
Welcome back, dear followers. We're still in the Arab region, the Tour of Oman is coming up:
The Race
The Tour of Oman is one of the youngest races in the calendar, facing only its fifth edition. Similar to the race in Qatar, the startlists have been packed with top stars nevertheless, including for instance defending champion and Tour de France winner Chris Froome, and the race continues to be part of cycling's globalization process.
The Route
Due to the surrounding landscape, the Tour of Oman provides several stages for the sprinters. However, in contrary to the Tour of Qatar, most stages include at least some uphill sections. And then, there's of course the queen stage four with the impressive summit finish up to Green Mountain, most likely the deciding factor for the GC.
The Favourites
Sky comes along with a strong squad. Chris Froome is evidently keen on repeating his success from last year, bringing Porte and Nieve with him. Maybe the best chance of challenging him has Ag2r with Betancur, Peraud and Pozzovivo.
Chris Froome
Sky ProCycling
Richie Porte
Sky ProCycling
Carlos Betancur
AG2R La Mondiale
Bauke Mollema
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
Roman Kreuziger
Team Saxo Bank
An then there's of course the sprints. Matthew Goss proved several times already that he's there to compete with the very best, at least for now. After Cavendish in Qatar, he will now face Peter Sagan. Otherwise, the sprinting competition is rather weak.
Peter Sagan
Cannondale
Matthew Goss
Orica GreenEdge
Edvald Boasson Hagen
Sky ProCycling
Theo Bos
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
Adrien Petit
Cofidis
Spoiler
The Team
We attend the Tour of Oman with the exact same squad from Qatar. Our well-rehearsed sprint train is looking for more stage wins. For the GC, Pieter Weening is having his first appearance of the season. Adam Yates will be his major lieutenant.
The Plan
Our focus is again on the stages likely to end in a bunch sprint. Pieter will try his best on the uphill stages, but his form is questionable and he has few support, with all respect to Adam Yates, whose time is yet to come, similar to me.
I am the joker here in Oman. If Jens or Brett drop out, I'll replace them in the sprint train, otherwise the DS told me to get used to a pro peloton further, and especially test my climbing abilities. Plus, I might get a chance to go for a breakaway again.
So that's what we're expecting in the next few days. Share your thoughts, and stay tuned!