Tour of Qatar Stage 2: Al Wakra > Al Khor, 187kms

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Nelson Oliveira is the first to crash today - the speed of the peloton on bad roads was the reason...

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The peloton is in many pieces in the first kilometres, and everyone is disappearing into the sandy wind..!

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Nacer Bouhanni is dropping back because of the high pace...

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Ian Stannard is getting dropped too - or is he waiting for Bradley Wiggins..?

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The front group is forming with Giant-Alpecin at the front and a nasty blast of sand awaiting them all...

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Alexander Kristoff and Peter Sagan are forcing the pace, maybe they have reason to..?

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Heinrich Haussler and Tom Boonen lead now, just what is motivating them..?

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The Qatari sands are all around the chasing groups, it's becoming a very tough day..!

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Jose-Joachin Rojas has been dropped - now that's why the big guns are firing in front..!

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Pablo Lastras and Francisco Ventoso are keeping Rojas in contention - and eventually they will get him back

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Greg Van Avermaet leads a new escape with Hayman, Van Zyl, and Wallays - they quickly gain four minutes...

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A very hungry and thristy peloton arrives at the feed-zone in need of nourishment...

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Van Zyl pulls the escape into the second half of the stage, with all to play for...

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You know it's been a very tough day when you see Alejandro Valverde collecting water bottles...

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Dominique Rollin is back in the peloton after a year's absence - and he does have better attributes than collecting water bottles...

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Two Astana riders lead a new move that's shredded the peloton and is now closing in on the escapers...

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Fabian Cancellara is dropping off the pace, with tomorrow's TT on his mind...

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Svein Tuft has done the same as Cancellara - but he still appears to be struggling...

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Bradley Wiggins looks to be the coolest time trialist - and tomorrow he'll wear the Rainbow Jersey for the first time in his life...

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More seriously, Philippe Gilbert has been forced out of the lead group with a flat tyre - he's not at all happy..!

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Back a group or two, a tired-looking Marcel Kittel carries water-bottles for his team mates...

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Kittel hands a water-bottle to Albert Timmer on a day when he knows how to win brownie points...

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Regardless of tomorrow's TT, Cancellara decides to chase anyway...

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Heinrich Haussler leads the escape towards the finale, and the wind is breaking the lead group up...

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Arnaud Demare is one of the first to be dropped...

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Rojas goes earlier than expected, a reflection on how hard it's been today...

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Ian Stannard works to the front, diminishing the lead group even further...

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Just 15 men fight out the finish, where Alexander Kristoff goes against Andrea Guardini in the final sprint...

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Alexander Kristoff has won stage two - and takes the race-lead too..!

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