Meijers wins Tour of Salalah opening stage

Jeroen Meijers launched the decisive sprint from a seven-rider breakaway to win the opening stage of the 2026 Tour of Salalah and take the first leader’s jersey of the four-stage race.

The 33-year-old Victoria Sports Pro Cycling rider finished the 127-kilometre route from Mughsail Beach to Mirbat Castle ahead of Australia’s Carter Bettles of Roojai Insurance Winspace. Switzerland’s Simon Pellaud, riding for Li Ning Star, took third.

The stage had been expected to suit the sprinters, but an aggressive race allowed the seven-man group to stay clear of the main field. Meijers timed his effort on the approach to the historic Mirbat Castle and also took the green points jersey. He had finished eighth in the Dhofar Classic, held one day earlier, and won a Tour of Salalah stage last year.

The race is organised by Dhofar Municipality with the Oman Cycling Association. Its sixth edition is classified as a UCI 2.2 event and covers 496 kilometres across four stages. Oman Cycling Association chairman Saif bin Sabaa Al Rashidi said 95 riders from 28 countries are competing.

Stage 2 will cover 108 kilometres from Dahariz Beach to Wadi Darbat and includes climbs through Aqabat Hashir and Towai Atair. The third stage, from Taqah Castle to Samhan, will cover 156 kilometres, while the race will finish with a 105-kilometre stage from Ain Razat to the Sultan Qaboos Youth Complex.