Although they will skip the Tour of Qatar, Etixx-QuickStep will be at the start of the Tour of Oman. The Belgian team is one of eight WorldTour teams to be invited for the third of the three races in the Middle East in February.

Earlier this week it was announced that Etixx-QuickStep made the deliberate decision not to travel to Qatar where they have had enormous success in the past. However, they will ride the second ASO race in the Middle East from from the 16th to the 21st of February 21. The remaining seventeen teams are identical to those that have been invited for the Tour of Qatar which means that the number of WorldTour teams has been significantly reduced compared to last year. Skydive Dubai will only ride in Qatar.

Last season Rafael Valls of Lampre-Merida was the surprise winner but he will not defend his title as his new Lotto Soudal team was not invited. The Sky team of two-time winner Chris Froome won’t do the race either.

Teams for the Tour of Oman:

AG2R La Mondiale, Astana, BMC Racing Team, Dimension Data, Etixx-QuickStep, Giant-Alpecin, Katusha, Lampre-Merida, LottoNL-Jumbo; Bora-Argon 18, CCC Sprandi-Polkowice, Cult Energy, Drapac Cycling, Fortuneo-Vital Concept, Roompot, Topsport Vlaanderen-Baloise, UnitedHealthcare and Wanty-Groupe Gobert.