Tour de France winner Wiggins to race in Oman

Three of the four most recent winners of the Tour de France, including Bradley Wiggins, have been confirmed for the Tour of Oman later this month.

The 2012 champion Bradley Wiggins, the first Briton to win the race, Cadel Evans and Alberto Contador will all tackle the race which takes place in the sultanate from February 11-16.

The line-up is further proof that the race is rocketing in stature, with Team Sky entering an impressive eight-man squad which also includes Chris Froome who was the runner-up in last year's Tour de France.

The Tour of Oman is part of the ongoing attempt to globalise cycling and will cover Muscat, Al Batinah region, Al Dhakaliya region and Al Dhahirah region.

Hundreds and thousands of spectators are likely to witness the Tour which will comprise five stages and a time trial over a total distance of 850km.

Crunch time is expected to come on Stage Four up the Jabal al Akhdhar (also known as the green mountain).

The winner of this fearsome climb (5.8km at an average gradient of 10.3 percent) during the last two years has secured overall victory of this race.

Tour of Oman in detail:

Stage 1, Monday February 11: Al Musannah - Sultan Qaboos University (162km)

Stage 2, Tuesday February 12: Fanja in Bidbid - Al Bustan (146km)

Stage 3, Wednesday February 13: Nakhal Fort - WadiDayqah Dam (190km)

Stage 4, Thursday February 14: Al Saltiyah in Samail - Jabal Al Akhdhar / Green Mountain (152.5km)

Stage 5, Friday February 15: Al Alam Palace - Ministry of Housing in Boshar(144km)

Stage 6, Saturday February 16: Hawit Nagam Park – Muttrah Corniche (144km)