Former Giro d’Italia boss Michele Acquarone shared his vision for pro cycling’s future with RoadCyclingUK over Christmas, with one of his proposals being a clear divide between top tier and second tier racing – ProTeams ride at WorldTour level, second tier teams ride the second tier races. It is a plausible suggestion – and certainly one means of cutting the fixture congestion we spoke of earlier in the Tour. But such suggestions would rule out the elite riders racing in Oman – a 2.HC-classified race – and on this week’s evidence, it would be a big loss.

Unless it was upgraded to WorldTour status, which given the elite field on show and the varied parcours devised would not leave it out of place, the race would be relegated. As there is currently a complete lack of live television coverage, a place at pro cycling’s top table seems unlikely too with the UCI classing depth and breadth of coverage as a key factor in their decision for classifications. Nevertheless, some enthralling stages and a GC only decided on the penultimate day mean despite its second tier status, Oman delivered a first class race. That the likes of Chris Froome, Joaquim Rodriguez and Vincenzo Nibali chose the race as an important part of their build-up to the season tells you all need to know.