The plot thickened on Wednesday — one day after Tour of Qatar announced that its teams line-up would not include Etixx-Quick-Step, the Tour of Oman revealed its invited teams, including the Belgian squad.
Ordinarily, teams race both events, as they fall only three days apart in February and are relatively close, geographically. Also, both races are organized by Amuary Sport Organisation, which also runs the Tour de France. Etixx is conspicuously absent from the Qatar line-up, given that its riders have won the last four editions of the race.
The 2015 Tour of Oman was won by Spaniard Rafael Valls, riding for Lampre-Merida. He will race for Lotto-Soudal in 2016.
Tour of Oman 2016 teams
AG2R La Mondiale (F)
Astana (Kaz)
BMC Racing (USA)
Bora-Argon 18 (G)
CCC Sprandi-Polkowice (P)
Cult Energy (Dk)
Dimension Data (SA)
Drapac (AUS)
Fortuneo-Vital Concept (F)
Etixx-Quick-Step (B)
Giant-Alpecin (G)
Katusha (Rus)
Lampre-Merida (I)
LottoNL-Jumbo (Nl)
Rompoot Oranje Peloton (Nl)
Topsport Vlaanderen-Baloise (B)
Wanty-Groupe Gobert (B)
UnitedHealthcare (USA)
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