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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Radio Shack make a big acceleration with Popovych, Rast and Fuglsang leading the charge...
Kohler has made his big move in front, but Bertolini manages to stay with him...
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
Peter Sagan becomes race-leader because of his win today...