Muscat – Swiss rider Mauro Schmid of Team Jayco AlUla managed to win the 2026 Muscat Classic, securing his first win of the season following a perfect team performance in the race. The 26-year-old Swiss champion will begin on Saturday accompanied with other 164 riders from top international teams the opening stage of the Tour of Oman which will run until Wednesday.
Schmid 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.
Swiss rider Mauro Schmid of Team Jayco AlUla expressed his delight after claiming victory, describing the race as demanding and highly competitive. “I knew the race very well and I was super motivated for today,” said Schmid. “The team did a perfect job to put me in a strong position, and being able to finish on the podium is a great reward for everyone’s effort.”
Reflecting on the final kilometers, Schmid highlighted the tactical challenge of the closing stages. “It was not easy to prepare the sprint. The race was hard from the beginning, but we knew we had a good chance. In the final five kilometres, we managed to create some space and organize ourselves properly for the sprint.”
Schmid also acknowledged the level of competition, particularly from Britain’s Adam Yates. “The competition was tough, especially against Adam Yates. I had to be faster at the finish, and it was definitely not an easy sprint.”
The Muscat Classic started from Al Mouj Muscat and the Riders passed through several iconic landmarks highlighting Oman’s architectural and natural beauty, including Seeb, Al Amerat, Wadi Kabir, Yiti, Qantab, Sidab and Al Bustan, before finishing in front of the State Council after covering a total distance of 171 km. Classified as a UCI Asia one-day race, the Muscat Classic awards 250 UCI ranking points to the winner. The race has gained increased international recognition, with the UCI doubling its points allocation from 125 to 250 compared to previous editions, elevating its status alongside elite Asian events such as the Japan Cup. This upgrade has significantly contributed to attracting top professional teams and world-class riders.
