Tour of Oman Stage 5: Al Sawadi Beach > Ministry of Housing, 151.5kms

Julian Arredondo gets right down to the ground to prepare his race numbers in the glamour of Al Sewadi...

310115ispa-0716.JPG

It's business as usual for Mitch Docker who stiudies the race book and today's route...

ogetacticsoman

310115ispa-0716.JPG

Some Tinkoff riders are getting ready as a sand storm builds behind them...

tinkoffoman

310115ispa-0716.JPG

With no smart bus to hide in, Sky riders get ready between the shelter of two houses...

skyoman

Jacopo Guarnieri keeps a watching eyeon developments - he's not getting dressed just yet..!

310115ispa-0716.JPG

Francisco Ventoso is slowly preparing himself for the worst conditions...

movistaroman

The famous Japanese explorer and photographer Yuzuru Sunada is also prepared for the worst...

310115ispa-0716.JPG

Vincenzo Nibali gets a lead-out through the sand storm from Borut Bozic...

astanabozicoman

310115ispa-0716.JPG

Ventoso is almost ready to rock 'n roll out there...

movistaroman

310115ispa-0716.JPG

Sky riders here the news from Nicolas Portal - the stage will start 100-kilometres away, where there's less wind...

skytacticsoman

310115ispa-0716.JPG

Lawrence of Arabia he is not, but Francisco Ventoso is finally ready - only to be told to get back in the car..!

movistaroman

310115ispa-0716.JPG

Given fifteen minutes to get ready at the new start, riders Tom Stamsnijder are panicking to make it to the line in-time...

alpecinoman

One minute to go, but there are a lot of un-happy riders out there in the desert...

310115ispa-0716.JPG

Gatis Smukulis can't believe his computer - it's showing a whopping 49-degrees..!

heatoman

310115ispa-0716.JPG

Two Bardiani cyclists await new wheels after their tyres explode on the neutralised descent - a new challenge has been created in the extreme temperatures...

bardianioman

Fabian Cancellara stops to check if his tyre has rolled a bit...

310115ispa-0716.JPG

Dominique Rollin discusses the riders' worries with Rafa Valls' DS, Philippe Mauduit...

cofidisoman

310115ispa-0716.JPG

Cancellara discusses the situation with ASO's Jean-Francois Pescheaux - he wants the race to stop for safety reasons...

strikeasooman

Bardiani riders have caught up just as the peloton stops under a wide, cool, bridge...

310115ispa-0716.JPG

Vincenzo Nibali discusses the stoppage with Eddy Merckx who's not happy about it at all...

astanastrikeoman

Nibali discusses as well with race-leader Valls and his closest challlemnger, Tejay Van Garderen - the American apparently prefers to race on...

310115ispa-0716.JPG

Bystanders like Steegmans, Vandenberghe and Blythe watch proceedings unfold, all the time enjoying the shade...

lampreoman

310115ispa-0716.JPG

As the new kids on the block, MTN riders have settled down for the long wait while others do the talking...

mtnvan zyloman

Valls is beginning to realise he might have won the Tour of Oman today...

310115ispa-0716.JPG

Almost one hour later, the cyclists are still sheltering under the bridge, but a decision is imminent...

strikeoman

310115ispa-0716.JPG

The heads of the peloton listen to Cancellara and Boonen who have decided to cancel the stage altogether...

strikeoman

310115ispa-0716.JPG

Rafa Valls crosses the line first, but there are no winners today, nor prize money, nor, happily, any nasty crashes...

lampreoman