Marcel Kittel (Giant-Shimano) won the first big bunch sprint of the Dubai Tour while Taylor Phinney (BMC) sprinted to 3rd to defend his leader's jersey. We have already posted several reactions and have gathered a few more below.

Jacopo Guarnieri (Astana, 9th +0.00)

“Last 500m I was in a good position, but I lost some wheels and came 9th – I was in Australia then flew here and have been training in good weather for nearly one month, so my form is quite good.

"It saves the jetlag to come here instead of going home to Italy – sure I miss my family, my girlfriend, my friends – but right now in Europe it is snowing and cold and not very easy to train. Dubai is much better.”

Diogo Nunes (Banco BIC, part of the early breakaway, 126th +8.15)

"I paid the price for a lack of race fitness and ended up giving up due to the increased speed of the peloton. in the finale, I gave a wheel to Rafael Reis who had punctured and I finished the stage with a time loss. The objective of showing the world our presence on TV has been achieved, next time the result will be better."

Vidal Fitas (sports director BANCO Bic whose best rider was Manuel Amaro in 54th)

"A team of our category must take the opportunity to show our colours. Diogo Nunes' breakaway sarved that purpose even though the stage ended in a sprint."

Juan Jose Lobato (Movistar, 4th +0.00)

"I didn't well in Australia... It was so hot, and I didn't seem to get into the form I was supposed to after hard training blocks - I'm feeling much better here."

Tristan Hoffman (DS Tinkoff-Saxo whose best rider was Nikolay Trusov in 7th)

“There was a lot of wind, sand and tension in the air on today’s second stage but the wind still wasn’t strong enough to split the field so the stage was decided in a bunch sprint where Nikolay managed to push his bike over the finish line in 7th position. Tomorrow, we’re facing a demanding finale and the boys will support Rory in order to make his way in to the top 10 overall."