Edvald Boasson Hagen has taken over the leader's red jersey at the Tour of Oman with his third-placed finish on stage two.

The Norwegian was led out by yet another well-worked Team Sky display but was just pipped to the line by Liquigas's Daniele Bennati and Tyler Farrar (Garmin-Transitions).

Boasson Hagen's achievement comes after finishing second on Sunday's opening day of racing behind Jimmy Casper (Saur-Sojasun).

Earlier in the stage four riders including BMC's Jackson Stewart, Ben Gastauer (Ag2r), Ben Dowsett (Trek Livestrong) and Kristof Vandewalle (Topsport Vlaanderen) had broken away - and at one stage earned themselves a six-and-a-half-minute advantage - but were reeled in before a second sprint finish in as many days.

Somewhat cruelly, Vacansoleil's Lieuwe Westra thought he had won the stage when he sprinted for the line in Samail, only to find the route took two laps around the town centre.

From there though Team Sky worked together brilliantly and Chris Sutton latched onto the wheel of Columbia's Bernhard Eisel in the closing stages before peeling off for Boasson Hagen to power towards the finish.

However, Bennati got clean line down the left-hand side to claim his first stage win in almost a year.