Operations Manager 2007 R2 Beta 1 is available on Connect
As others have noted over the past few hours, Operations Manager 2007 R2 Beta 1 is available on Connect. Finding the download could be problematic depending on how well versed you are with the sometimes painful Connect site. The easiest way to get signed up correctly is when you add the Connection to System Center (Operations Manager, Service Manager & Essentials).
Select Connection Directory, then find on the web page Operations (this is a Kevin Holman special), select add to dashboard hot link, and under that should be Program Operations Manager Beta Apply Now. Click the Apply now option and fill in the requested information. Click your dashboard, then click on System Center (Operations Manager, Service Manager & Essentials) then on the left side find the downloads link, and boom there it is. Another fine example of easy to use gui.