The Wolfpack returns to a country where we have won ten times so far.
Valentin Paret-Peintre is ready to get his season underway in the same place where one year ago he captured his first victory as a Soudal Quick-Step rider. The French climber will be in action at the Muscat Classic and the Tour of Oman, at the latter returning after finishing an impressive runner-up and winning two jerseys in 2025.
The man who tamed in spectacular fashion the gruelling gradients of the Green Mountain, one of cycling’s most brutal climbs, Paret-Peintre will be joined for the two races in the Sultanate by Gil Gelders, Junior Lecerf, Warre Vangheluwe, Mauri Vansevenant – who just last week concluded eighth overall at the AlUla Tour – and Ceriel Desal and Stan Van Tricht, the two Belgians riding for our feeder squad this season.
Muscat Classic should once again be an affair between the puncheurs and the climbers, thanks to the presence of half a dozen climbs on the course, including the steep Al Jissah, which will be tackled in the last seven kilometers. In the absence of an individual time trial, the 15th edition of the Tour of Oman will be decided on the two demanding uphill finishes – the Eastern Mountain and the Green Mountain – where significant gaps can be opened.
We are looking forward to the two races, which we know pretty well.
“The course of the Tour of Oman is similar to what we had in recent years, with two uphill finishes and some potential sprint stages, but the wind can also leave its mark on the race. In 2025, we had a good week here and we’re determined to fight again for some strong results. The boys are motivated and can’t wait to show that in the next days”, said Soudal Quick-Step sports director Sep Vanmarcke.
Photo credit: ©Wout Beel
