The Haute Route series has been rapidly expanding to include events across Europe and the USA in the past few years. Events such as Asheville, North Carolina and Stavanger, Norway, have recently joined the Alps and Stelvio among the 11 options now on offer.
And from 2019 11 is set to become 12 as the multi-day sportive challenge expands its horizons to a third continent with the inception of Haute Route Oman.
This ambitious expansion will encompass the first event in the Middle East and make for, arguably, the biggest cycling event in the gulf outside of the WorldTour professional races.
Mirroring the current WorldTour Tour of Oman race, the Haute Route is likely to centre around the rolling landscapes of the Al Hajar mountain range which includes the Jabal Akhdar (Green Mountain), a climb used yearly in the professional race.
The scenery of this new event will be unique with barren deserts, grand forts and dusty mountains offering a stark contrast from the green pastures of Europe and America.
The event will take place from 1st-3rd March 2019, a time in the year when average temperatures sit around the comfortable mid-20 degree mark.
As with all Haute Route events, riders will be be well looked after with logistical, medical and mechanical support throughout alongside rolling road security and even motorbike film crews.
Speaking on the latest addition, founder of the Haute Route series Remi Duchemin commented on his hope that Oman will add to the uniqueness of the events core values.
'We are delighted to partner with Oman Sail for the latest move in our global expansion of the Haute Route amateur cycling series. Adding Haute Route Oman to our 2019 calendar is a perfect way to confirm our international growth ambitions and our presence, during the North Hemisphere winter, on a new continent,' said Duchemin.
'Our main objective is to deliver a unique experience for amateur cyclists, and with Oman’s unique environment and welcoming culture we know Haute Route Oman will be another must-do event for riders coming from all continents.'