Muscat: French rider Baptiste Veistroffer of Team Lotto-Intermarché claimed a decisive victory in the challenging Stage 2 of the Tour of Oman 2026, an event organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth in collaboration with the Oman Cycling Association and other governmental and private partners. According to Oman News Agency, the podium was rounded out by Eritrea's Henok Mulubrhan of Team XDS Astana, who secured a strong second place, while French compatriot Thibaud Gruel of Team GROUPAMA-FDJ UNITED powered his way to third. Veistroffer's commanding performance earned him the coveted overall leader's red jersey. The gold jersey for the most aggressive rider was awarded to Poland's Patryk Goszczurny of Team VISMA | LEASE A BIKE. Veistroffer also secured the green points jersey, and the white jersey for the best young rider under 23 went to France's Thibaud Gruel. The stage commenced at the historic A'Rustaq Fort, sending riders on a demanding 191.5-kilometer odyssey. The route wound through A'Rus taq-Al Awabi-Nakhal road into Wadi Al Ma'awil, before turning toward Al Lajal and onto the Buwa-Fanja road. After navigating Fanja Souq and the Al Rusayl Industrial Estate, the peloton passed the Military Hospital and tackled the Al Murtafa'a ascent. The race then proceeded through central Muscat via Al Ghubra and descended the Al Ansab road onto the Muscat Expressway. A final push through Bousher and Al Amerat led to a decisive left turn into Wadi Adai, with the grueling summit finish awaiting at the Yetti Highlands after a climb through Al Hamriya. The stage concluded with a ceremony presided over by Basil bin Ahmed Al Rowas, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth for Sports. The tour continues tomorrow (Monday) with the Stage 3, setting off from the Al Fayhaa rest area in Samail. Cyclists will face a route through the interior, heading toward A'Dakhiliyah before turning onto Wadi Mahram road. This stage will traverse Wadi Endam and the Al Qaryateen road to Izki and Birakat Al Mawz, t hen climb through Ghubra Nizwa, Wadi Kamah, Tanuf, and past the famed Al Hoota cave near Al Hamra, culminating in a punishing climb to the finish at Misfat Al Abriyeen.