The contenders – Tejay van Garderen (BMC Racing)
The contenders – Tejay van Garderen (BMC Racing)
Second last year, Tejay van Garderen (BMC Racing) will look to go one better this time out, in a team which also boast former champion Peter Velits.
New signings Damiano Caruso and Alessadro de Marchi are also set to join the American in a fiercely strong BMC Racing team, with several options for the overall win.
Van Garderen appears to be leader of that pack, however, as the 26-year-old bids to start the season in winning style.
Only Froome was better than van Garderen on Green Mountain last year, who used the race as a platform for a decent – though not spectacular – season.
With Cadel Evans having retired after the Tour Down Under and Great Ocean Road Race, this season is the van Garderen’s chance to prove himself capable of leading BMC Racing to Grand Tour success.
A fiercely-strong provisional line-up shows the American team have faith in him, and a victory of the Tour of Oman will offer plenty of cause for optimism for a team fresh from celebrating Rohan Dennis’ Tour Down Under win and conquering of the UCI Hour Record.