Cycling: Boasson Hagen pipped at the line in race for opening stage in Oman

A well-timed team effort by Britain's Team Sky saw their talented young Norwegian rider Edvald Boasson Hagen come within a wheel's length of taking the bunch sprint which decided the opening stage of the first-ever Tour of Oman.

Boasson Hagen was forced to settle for second behind French winner Jimmy Casper in the 70km dash for the line, in front of massive crowds lining a 6km circuit on Muscat seafront. "It was so close, I'm sorry I couldn't quite finish off the team's great work," said Boasson Hagen, who starts today's stage as leader of the Best Young Rider's jersey.