Many riders who compete for the Grand Tours and the Ardennes classics start the race as part of their preparation, although increased competition from early-season European races meant that the start list for the 2016 Tour of Oman was not as strong as in some previous editions.

[3] The varied stages in the Tour of Oman meant that several different kinds of riders started the race.

These included sprinters such as Sam Bennett (Bora–Argon 18), Alexander Kristoff (Team Katusha), Sacha Modolo (Lampre–Merida), Andrea Guardini (Astana) and Moreno Hofland (LottoNL–Jumbo).

The hilly finishes also attracted classics riders such as Greg Van Avermaet (BMC), Davide Rebellin (CCC–Sprandi–Polkowice) and Edvald Boasson Hagen (Team Dimension Data).

The rider with the highest points total is the leader of the classification and wears a green jersey.

The combativity classification is based on points won at intermediate sprints and classified climbs along the route.

The rider with the most accumulated points is the leader of the classification and wears a white jersey with red and green sections.