An enthralling stage threw up plenty of drama in Oman, with some high-profile riders almost becoming casualties to the crosswinds, before a great sprint finish and a lesson in the importance of road position for Omega Pharma-Quickstep. Not that anybody outside of Oman will have known, as the Tour has no live television coverage. Not in the UK, not anywhere. All coverage of the race is done via a short daily highlights package. Of course, there will be logistical issues behind the lack of live coverage but it is certainly an own goal by organisers ASO.
If the Tour wishes to remain an integral part of the racing calendar, as it is becoming, television coverage is surely a must. A high-class field has headed to Oman, and with a varied parcours there is something for everyone en route. Andre Greipel took the stage one headlines, but the likes of Peter Sagan, Fabian Cancellara and Tom Boonen will have their moment to shine in the stages to come before Chris Froome and Joaquim Rodriguez go wheel-to-wheel on Green Mountain. In terms of the race itself, it deserves its place on the pro cycling calendar but a peloton boasting such a high-class field of riders deserves better coverage.
