(MENAFN- Muscat Daily) Muscat- Athletes from 23 countries will gather at Al Nahda Resort in Barka on February 24 at 3am to attempt to ride across Oman without any external assistance.
They will attempt to complete a spectacular route of 1,000km and 7,500m of elevation gain, which includes the most challenging cycling conditions Oman can offer under 120 hours. The event is co-organised by BikingMan, Oman Cycling Association and Ministry of Sports Affairs. From Barka, the athletes will cycle around the Al Hajar Mountains and attempt the dreadful Jebel Shams climb.
The first checkpoint of the race, hosted at Jebel Shams Resort, will be at 357km from the race start and will be reached by the first athletes on the first day.
The second checkpoint, located 756km after the race start will be hosted in a typical Omani guest house, at the doors of the Arabian Sea. A 400km stretch of desert conditions awaits the athletes, who will cycle across the spectacular Sharqiyah region.
The final stretch will unveil the otherworldly landscapes of the Muscat/Salalah coastal highway from Sur to reach the finish line in Muttrah.
Saif Suba al Rashidi, president, Oman Cycling Association, said that the race aims to raise awareness about cycling and its importance as a sport. 'Millions of people watched the race last year and we expect more people to see it this year,' he said.
An impressive lineup of endurance athletes, both women and men, will be on the start line. They come to Oman in a quest for adventure and a willingness to explore their passion of pushing to the absolute limits.
The Omani athletic potential will be defended by the Royal Army of Oman, with four national athletes, as well as with amateur Omani cyclists.
The BikingMan was founded by the French explorer/world record holder Axel Carion who now functions as its CEO.
It is the ultimate endurance challenge bringing athletes to Oman, the forest and mountains of Corsica, the jungle of Laos, through the Andes in Peru, across the Southern points of Portugal and finally into tropical climate of Taiwan.
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