Team Sky rider Chris Froome has taken the overall lead at the Tour of Oman with two days remaining.
The 27-year-old came second to Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha) in the fourth stage, a 152.5km mountain race from Al Saltiyah in Samail to Jabal Al Akhdhar.
He now has a 24-second lead over his nearest rival Cadel Evans (BMC), while two-time Tour de France champion Alberto Contador (Team Saxo-Tinkoff) is lurking in third place.
Bradley Wiggins, who is assisting Froome in his bid for victory, is in 68th position and 10 minutes 28 seconds off the pace.
