Over the past few weeks we have repeatedly told you about the way cycling is experienced in Oman, the stage race organized by A.S.O has allowed us to look beyond the results and discover a country that is becoming passionate about cycling. The investments are undoubtedly substantial, and the main objective of the race has always been tourism promotion, especially in Europe, but year after year the Omani cycling federation has understood that the public no longer wants to remain indifferent. Since the last edition we had been struck by how this sport had an impact on the female part of the population, we had spoken with women and girls along the roadside, we had visited homes, we had tried to gather as much information as possible, realizing that something was being born, but it wasn't yet enough. This happened 12 months ago, but in a rapidly developing country like Oman many things can change from one year to the next.

On the eve of the Muscat Classic it is tradition for us journalists to attend a press conference held by the organizers, there is always the race director, the president of the Omani cycling union and some local administrators, but this time our attention was drawn by a woman who took the floor to illustrate some race dynamics. It must be said, if we had been in Europe we wouldn't have paid attention, but in an Arab country where the balance is very different it was something that surprised the entire group and prompted us to discover something more. What was supposed to be a simple curiosity turned into a real conversation that allowed us to learn the story of Rakhiah Alhinai and her colleague Suhair Al Harthi, two women in the operational sector of the Tour of Oman who are beginning to make their voices heard.

The adventure of Rakhiah and Suhair in cycling starts from far back, two different paths that end up meeting about 15 years ago while they are collaborating on a rally race, one of the most widespread and beloved disciplines in Oman. The same organizing company begins to operate in cycling as well, there is a need for trained personnel and both are chosen to follow local races in the south of the country, it is a small dream that grows little by little and that a few years ago brought them to work with A.S.O as well. Initially it was a small role, but both Rakhiah and Suhair proved immediately capable and passionate, for a few years now they have been part of the race direction. Their task is to secure the route, to evaluate intermediate sprints and athlete behavior, a fundamental activity that allows them to work in close contact with UCI commissaires. "For us it is a great honor to be part of the Tour of Oman, it is the most important race in our country. We work hard for the success of this project and for me it was a great honor to be called as a woman to speak about my work in front of so many international media, it is something that moves me and rewards all my effort. Collaborating with the jury and the organization also allows us to gain experience and see dynamics that are rare in our local races, such as intermediate sprints, refueling zones, but especially the way the various team directors move during the race, it is truly fascinating" Rakhiah tells us, moved and proud of her work.

For us Westerners it is not easy to fully understand the mentality of a country so distant from ours, it is Suhair and Rakhiah who explain to us through their lived experience how women are not at all excluded from any activity. In Oman people are very open and have always encouraged sport for both sexes, the difference compared to us Europeans is not to be found in a prohibition but in a habit that is not yet consolidated. The two girls are eager to tell their story and soon we discover that they actually work in the medical field, cycling races are their break from hectic life, it is a passion that they have started to pursue in a different way and that now leads them to dream big. Rakhiah came to it by chance after working in rally, Suhair instead fell in love with it many years ago watching the males in her family ride bikes. "In my family there have always been boys who rode bikes, I wanted to try, but it was something that wasn't done, it's not that it was forbidden, it simply wasn't common. When I grew up I decided to buy myself my own bike and start pedaling, I was aware that someone would judge me, but my family immediately supported me, as did my community, it was wonderful. As I grew older I had to stop because there were no teams and races, but I carry that experience in my heart as a small personal victory that reminds me that nothing is impossible. I continued to follow cycling and discovered that in addition to men's races, women also pedaled, I felt understood and realized that something was indeed changing" Suhair tells us, revealing that missing piece of a story that is only just beginning.

Will there ever be a Tour of Oman for women? It is a fair question that comes to us almost automatically, it is Rakhiah and Suhair themselves who open us to this possibility. It could happen in 5, 10 years, it's not yet known, but something is moving. "In Oman there are many local races from October to March, these are the less hot months when it is possible to race. There are different categories, from the youngest to juniors, many girls ask to try and have so much fun, more and more Omani women also participate in the iron man. We are sure that one day there will be space for them too, they will be able to see the great champions up close. We are witnessing many changes, in 2025 for the first time we saw many people on the streets waiting for the race, this year many schools brought their students. We saw the public get emotional, the group pass at high speed and children throw themselves to collect water bottles, for us all this never existed, but everyone saw it on television and replicated it."

The story of Rakhiah and Suhair took us on an unexpected journey into the way a country that is still discovering cycling experiences it. It was enough for us to look them in the eyes to understand their emotion in talking about something they truly believe in, the passion and dedication in their work, the desire to grow that system. From the beginning of the conversation a question was buzzing in our heads, but we save it for the end, just when the departure of the journalists' minibus forces us to say goodbye. "What is your dream?" we ask and they answer us together, in unison: "We would like to go to Europe and experience real cycling, but above all study hard and become UCI Commissaires". In a country where everything changes so quickly, nothing is impossible.