The Tour of Oman 2015 took to the roads for the fifth year, once again welcoming the world's top cyclists and teams to what has become a key starting point of the racing season. The highly anticipated tour took place from 17 February to 22 February 2015, covering 837.5km of the planned 989km race after stage five of the six-stage race was neutralised due to challenging weather conditions. Rafael Valls, from Spain, triumphed in the overall classification while Austria's Matthias Brändle soared to victory in the final stage.

The six-stage tour took the peloton across Oman's stunning backdrop as the six different stages took the riders along the coast, through the mountains down to Al Bustan, up the Green Mountain at Al Jabal Al Akhdar and the Bowsher Al Amerat. Predominently a flat route with inclines towards the end stages, the 18 teams battled it out to claim the 2015 title in the absence Chris Froome, who had triumphed in the past two tours.

As a country that is steeped in heritage and culture with long-standing traditions at its core, the Tour of Oman not only attracts some of the world's best racers but also brings the people of Oman to the streets. Visitors are welcomed with a warm reception as Omani's embrace what is fast becoming a new tradition and highlight in the year's sporting calendar. The Tour of Oman bas inspired locals and tourists alike to take to the excellent roads and experience the route for themselves. Tours can be organized through www.bikeandhikeoman.com, a member of the Zahara Travel Group.

Valls' 2015 title is his first stage-race victory of his career and was sealed as the Spaniard claimed a nine-second overall victory over runner-up Tejay van Garderen. He secured his lead in stage four after winning the feature stage of the race on Friday as they climbed Jabal Al Akhdar. The final stage saw Brändle (IAM Cycling), along with Kiesse (Etixx-Quick Step), Pate (Sky) and Meirhaeghe (Topsport Vlaanderen) break away early during the final stage, leaving a three and a half minute gap between the four men and the rest of the peloton as the final fifteen kilometres came around. Brändle took a lead in the closing kilometres and secured victory by four seconds.

For more information please visit, www.omantourism.om.gov

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For more information & high-res images of Oman please contact: 

Oman Ministry of Tourism Representative Office in the UK and Ireland
Kate Riley

PR Account Manager
Tel: + 44 (0) 208 877 4510
Email: kateriley@representationplus.co.uk 
Visit: www.omantourism.gov.om