Kurt-Asle Arvesen fractures collarbone as Team Sky lose their way in Qatar

Twenty-four hours after winning the opening stage, Team Sky hit the earth with a bump on day two of the Tour of Qatar, literally in the case of the experienced Norwegian Kurt-Asle Arvesen, who crashed in the neutralised zone and fractured his collarbone. Then, as crosswinds created havoc, the seven remaining Sky riders were scattered asunder. Ian Stannard was the highest placed, in 27th, with the overnight leader, Edvald Boasson-Hagen, puncturing and losing almost ten minutes to the stage winner Geert Steurs. Two veteran British riders finished in a top 10 dominated by Belgian classics specialists, though Roger Hammond [6th] and Jeremy Hunt [8th] ride for the Cervelo Test Team. "I'm sorry we lost the lead but sorrier for Kurt," said Dave Brailsford, the Team Sky principal. "It was a tough day." Bradley Wiggins, who finished 112th, 11 minutes down, added: "We got scattered at a crucial time. Kurt was just bloody unlucky, but it was not a brilliant day for the team."