Tour of Qatar Stage 1: Barzan Towers > Doha Golf Club, 142.5kms

New team and new season for Mark Cavendish as he signs on as World Champion

SKYQATAR

Denis Galymzianov is busy studying the route and making mileage notes - there are no race-radios in this race...

Tyler Farrar and Robbie Hunter are studying their road-book too...

A mini-mosque near the start-town is one of the day's few scenic spots in the desert...

sceneryQATAR

Adam Hansen has taken leave of his senses and attacked - he'll build a six-minute lead into the headwind..!

lottoQATAR

Robbie McEwen gets his front wheel out to help speed up his mechanic's work...

Green EdgeQATAR

Thor Hushovd is a familiar face in an unfamiliar jersey of BMC...

bmcQATAR

Thomas Dekker is even less familiar in the colours of Garmin-Barracuda...

GarminQATAR

Philippe Gilbert has also joined BMC - as champion of Belgium...

bmcQATAR

Hansen is still hammering away into the headwind...

lottoQATAR

Svein Tuft is leading the peloton's chase in his very-startling Green Edge colours as Canadian champion...

GarminQATAR

Ramounas Navardauskas has filled alll his pockets with water bottles for his teamates...

GarminQATAR

Team Sky's Ian Stannard and Jeremy Hunt chat with Adam Blythe - an all-British crew..!

SKYQATAR

Whoops - there's been a crash...!

crashQATAR

There are some expensive-looking bikes stacked up in this spill...

crashQATAR

Tyler Farrar and Maurio Fischer have been caught up in the crash...

crashQATAR

Farrar's okay, and his bike will be okay soon..!

farrarQATAR

Joost Posthuma gives a helping hand to Germany's Robert Wagner as the peloton begins to speed up...

shackQATAR

Another spill has claimed Jens Debusschere as a victim...

lottoQATAR

Chang Wai Kai has been blown out of the peloton - one of many about to suffer the same fate...

Even the experienced pros are falling out of the peloton now...

A group containing Cavendish is chasing a group of 30 that contains all the other race-favourites...

echelonQATAR

The peloton has virtually re-formed with about 40-kilometres to go...

sceneryQATAR

Cavendish has a chance to regain his composure now, the World Champion is said to be still a bit sick...

SKYQATAR

Roy Curvers makes a cry for help, another puncture victim on the gritted roads of Qatar...

Cavendish is being taken up towards the front by Eisel and Hunt now - maybe he's not so ill..?

SKYQATAR

Michael Barry is leading the peloton for Sky, making sure no-one escapes...

The sprint is almost over way before the line - with a familiar figure out in front..!

OMEGAQATAR

Tom Boonen wins stage one from Adam Blythe and Peter Sagan..!

OMEGAQATAR

Tom Boonen celebrates as he puts the leader's jersey on - the Tour of Qatar is one of his favourite playgrounds..!

OMEGAQATAR