Blikra wins penultimate stage of Tour of Oman, Mauro Schmid retains red jersey

Muscat – Norwegian rider Erlend Blikra of Uno-X Mobility delivered an outstanding show to claim a decisive victory on Tuesday in Sohar in the penultimate stage of the 15th edition of the Tour of Oman 2026 which is setting the stage for a thrilling finale as four teams emerge as strong contenders for the overall title.

Blikra powered to victory over the 146.8 km coastal stage, which started from Al Sawadi Beach in Wilayat Barka and concluded at the Sohar Corniche. This triumph meant that the overall leadership remained with Swiss rider Mauro Schmid of Team Jayco AlUla, who retained the red jersey.

The golden jersey for the most aggressive rider went once again to Poland’s Patryk Goszczurny of Team Visma Bike, while the green jersey for the points classification was claimed by French rider Baptiste Veistroffer of Lotto–Intermarché. The white jersey for Best Under-23 Rider was awarded to Norwegian cyclist Martin Tjøtta of Uno-X Mobility.

The Stage Four awards ceremony was held under the patronage of HE Sheikh Saud bin Mohammed al Hinai, Wali of Sohar. The Tour of Oman is organised by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, in cooperation with the Oman Cycling Association and several government and private entities will conclude on Wednesday.

Speaking after his victory, Blikra expressed pride in his performance.

“I feel extremely happy and proud to win such an important stage of Tour of Oman. The competition was intense from the very first kilometres, and the stage required high concentration and tactical discipline. The support of my teammates was decisive in achieving this result,” he added.

“The Tour of Oman is exceptional in terms of organisation, diverse routes, and stunning natural scenery. It provides riders with a true test of both physical and technical readiness. This win gives me extra motivation, and we look forward to a strong finish that reflects the teamwork we have shown throughout the race.” He ended

Stage Four featured a fast and tactical coastal route, starting from Al Sawadi Beach, passing through Al Musanna Roundabout, Al Tharmad, Barceló al Mussanah Resort, Wadam al Sahil, Suwaiq Fort, and continuing along Sultan Qaboos Road towards Sohar, via Al Khabourah and Saham. The route passed key landmarks in Sohar, including Bahjat al Anzar Farm and the Sultan Qaboos Mosque, before turning near the North Al Batinah Governor’s Office and concluding at the Sohar Corniche.

Green Mountains stage

All the eyes now turn to Wednesday’s fifth and final stage, a 156-kilometre decisive showdown starting from Nizwa Fort and concluding at Jabal Al Akhdar (Green Mountain). The stage will combine speed, tactical intelligence, and endurance, passing historic landmarks and open roads before the demanding mountain finish determines the champion of the 2026 Tour of Oman.

With margins tight and competition fierce, the final stage represents the last opportunity for teams and riders to reshape the standings and claim overall glory. The complexity of the route, combined with wind conditions, team coordination, and pace control, makes it one of the most decisive and technically demanding stages of the Tour.