Mark Cavendish finished ninth, in a bunch which came in 10 seconds behind the breakaway on stage one of the Tour of Qatar.
Taking to Twitter afterwards, he thanked his Omega Pharma Quickstep team mates for looking after him 'superbly', after the riders were buffeted by strong crosswinds.
Meanwhile, Onchan resident Ben Swift secured a solid third-placed finish at the Trofeo Palma yesterday.
He was helped by Sir Bradley Wiggins, who played a key supporting role in his first competitive outing of the season to aid his Team Sky colleague.
Swift ended up coming in behind winner Kenny Dehaes and second-placed Tyler Farrar.
The Trofeo Palma the first race of the four-day Mallorca Challenge
Football: Rushen beat 'old firm' rivals to progress in Hospital Cup
FC Isle of Man awarded win for abandoned Prestwich Heys match
Hockey: Castletown and Ramsey claim first silverware of cup finals
James Hillier's exciting new role at TT 2026
Football: Plans to launch new walking football league