The 158km long stage from Sawadi to Al Seeb was always going to be one for the sprinters.
British rider Mark McNall riding for the An Post-Sean Kelly team was in a group, which broke clear before the main teams pulled them back to set up a bunch sprint.
It was a strange finish with spectators in the road but Rabbobank's Theo Bos just beat Cavendish over the line to take the stage with Skil Shimano's Roger Kluge in third.
Tomorrow's second stage is 139km long and is from The Wave in Muscat to Al Wutayya.
_____________________________________________________________
Spanish Cycling Federation (RFEC) has overturned its decision to ban Alberto Contador from cycling for a year after his positve test for Clenbuterol.
The Astana rider had always maintained his innoence, blaming tainted meat for the test results.
Contador is expected to start in the Tour of Algarve on Wednesday whilst the UCI deliberate the decision and they are expected to announce their own within a month.