'Exactly what we said would happen' - Schmid and Plapp execute Muscat Classic game plan to perfection

Mauro Schmid (Jayco Alula) continued his strong start to 2026 by sprinting to victory at the Muscat Classic in Oman ahead of Adam Yates (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) in what was described as a “perfect plan” well executed by Jayco Alula.

On the race’s final ascent of Al Jissah inside the final 10km, Schmid surged clear from the peloton alongside teammate Luke Plapp (Jayco Alula) and Adam Yates (UAE Team Emirates-XRG). The trio would stay away to the finish, where the Swiss champion outsprinted Yates to take the win, with the help of Plapp, who finished third.

After finishing runner-up at the Santos Tour Down Under in January, Schmid knew he was in great shape ahead of this race, but also believed that he needed to make the race selective in order to win.

“I am in good shape and started well in Australia, so we were super motivated for today,” Schmid said after the finish. “In the end, we planned it exactly like this. We knew I needed to have a gap, or at least with a small group, or alone over the climb, and yeah, I think the team did it perfectly.”

Jayco Alula had the numerical advantage in the finale with two riders, and it proved crucial as Plapp was able to deliver the lead-out for the Swiss champion, which Schmid was grateful for.

“I had Luke Plapp there, and yeah, and with him it was quite easy to prepare the sprint,” said Schmid. “I knew normally I should be a bit faster [than Yates], and yeah, in the end, I was happy I could beat him, but it was not an easy sprint.”

Plapp, who played the teammate role, was still able to take third at the finish, and the Australian admitted that the game plan had been planned and executed to perfection. 

“It was perfect. Me and Mauro are roommates here. We spoke about it the last two days, and it was sort of exactly what we said was gonna happen,” Plapp explained. 

“We said it would be perfect if we went away with Yatesy and Mauro beat him in a sprint. So it was the perfect plan, and he's in great form, he's untouchable at the moment and riding amazing.”

For Yates, his ability to create the race-winning selection on the climb was confirmation of good form ahead of a title defence at the Tour of Oman, but ultimately, the odds were against him due to being outnumbered, and the sprint finish on the horizon.

“Yeah, it was a good fight there in the final. I think with the two guys from Jayco there, it was always going to be tricky to win… Off the bike, we’re all friends,” said Yates on the tactical games in the finish.

“It’s not a super long climb, so I needed to make the difference somewhere. I tried from the bottom, and yeah, there were two guys who could hang on. It was a good fight in the finish, but in a sprint, I’m never going to be the fastest.”

Yates will now look ahead to winning the Tour of Oman for a record-breaking third consecutive edition, which kicks off on February 7. The defending champion previewed the opening stage, which is expected to be one for the sprinters, and where Juan Sebastián Molano (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) could come to the fore for UAE. 

“Tomorrow’s a sprint day, so hopefully for us guys today, stay out of trouble. We also have Molano here, he did a good job today to do some lead-outs and positioning, so hopefully tomorrow he is fresh and ready to go.”

Meanwhile, Jayco’s strong performance on Friday gives Plapp confidence that they can put an end to the British rider’s winning streak at the Tour of Oman.

“I think we have a great chance to challenge Adam for the GC. He's obviously the champion here for a long time, so we'll give it our best chance,” said Plapp.