The roads start to go up at the Tour of Oman now, with the climbers and rouleurs expected to come to the fore over the next three stages.

Stage two provided the sprinters with a chance to prove their worth before their attentions turn to riding for their team-mates however, and Alexander Kristoff took full advantage.

His reading of the sprint pointed to a man with far more than 12 career victories – after accelerating too early, he checked his move, tucked back in, and then launched his final, decisive sprint with perfect timing.

Read our five observations from the stage over the following pages, and add your own in the RCUK Forum.