What's this media huddle all about then..?

shackomanmedia

Andy Schleck is giving an impromptu press conference on the car-deck of the hydro-foil taking the race to the start...

shackoman

The big swell on the Oman Sea means some cyclists - as well as Eddy Merckx - have to lie down to avoid being sick...

illoman

Mark Cavendish arrives in Sur, dressed proudly in his rainbow jersey for the fans...

skyoman

There's a reason why this Rabobank mechanic is taking some team bikes across the bridge before the peloton starts...

The stage starts across Sur's magnificent estuary and bridge...

sceneryoman

A height restriction is okay for the cyclists, but the team cars with bikes cannot get under the bar...

Thomas Bertolini leads a quartet of escapers away right from the start...

farneseoman

120 of today's 140-kilometres will be spent solely on this motorway between the sea and the mountains...

sceneryoman

Kiwi Greg Henderson is happy with life as Andre Greipel's No1 lead-out man...

lottooman

Greipel himself seems happy too - he's fetching water-bottles for his loyal teamates...

lottooman

These two bearded gentlemen - Matt Goss and Mark Cavendish - must surely be discussing Milan San Remo, right..?

green edgeoman

Some Omani fans cheer the race along as it passes an intersection partway through the day...

sceneryoman

Will today's uphill finish play into the hands of Vincenzo Nibali..?

liquigasoman

Or does Joachim Rodriguez have a chance on the steep, final hill..?

katushaoman

The big teams are starting to form a formidable strength at the front of the peloton...

pelotonoman

Svein Tuft is the first to show his team's intentions today...

green edgeoman

Klaas Lodewijk is still pushing the escape towardsa the finish, and they still have two-minutes lead...

bmcoman

Johan Van Summeren makes his big push with 25-kilometres to go...

garminoman

Sky's Matthew Hayman is getting a google-map guide to the finale from Servais Knaven...

skyoman

Radio Shack make a big acceleration with Popovych, Rast and Fuglsang leading the charge...

shackoman

Kohler has made his big move in front, but Bertolini manages to stay with him...

bmcoman

Kohler is alone and in front with five-kilometres to go - but he won't survive the chase...

Peter Sagan has won stage two after a late-attack on the final ascent...!

liquigas oman

Baden Cooke takes 2nd-place ahead of Thomas Jelte Slagter and Tony Gallopin...s

green edgeoman

Peter Sagan becomes race-leader because of his win today...

liquigas oman