Bronzini captures overall lead at Women’s Tour of Qatar

After taking second in yesterday’s stage, Italian Georgia Bronzini has won the second stage of the Tour of Qatar for women and taken over the overall lead of the race.

It was a very windy stage today and race organisers actually decided to reduce the distance of the day’s stage from 107 to 86kms. Straight from the start, after taking off from Al Zubarah, up north of Qatar, many struggled with the side wind and failed to stay in the front bunch. Sixty riders made it together at the first intermediate sprint claimed, once again, by title holder Kirsten Wild (CWT) ahead of Van de Ree (NED) and Duster (CWT).

Due to the difficult weather conditions, only 31.9 kilometres were covered during the first hour and the pace got even slower as the pack headed down south, facing the wind (average of 29 km/h after two hours). At km 50, the first real breakaway occurred when Brulee (RSC) took off. Eight kilometres later she was caught and dropped by Hatch (LLT). The American continued her solo effort, enjoying a maximum 1’45 lead over the pack. However, she too was to struggle on her own. Hatch was eventually caught at km 69.

From then on, the Cervelo and Dutch teams took control of the pack. The second intermediate sprint at km 70 was claimed by Wild (CWT) ahead of Visser (TCW) and Broun (AUS). With just under 4 kilometres to go, Becker (CWT), Broun (AUS) and Cantele (TCW) gave it a go. The three escapees were finally gobbled up by the pack at the final kilometre mark. Time then for a bunched sprint. Once second and two times first last year, Giorgio Bronzini captured her first success of 2010 on the straight heading to the Oryx Farm. The Italian sprinter beat Gilmore (LLT) and Bras (NED) to the line . Thanks to precious bonus seconds, Bronzini captures the overall leader’s golden jersey with a 4” lead over Wild and 6” over previous leader Lelivyte (SAF).

Brief Results:

1. Georgia Bronzini 2h 55’19″
2. Rochelle Gilmore s.t
3. Martine Bras s.t
4. Kirsten Wild s.t
5. Lauren Tamayo s.t

General Classification:

1. Georgia Bronzini (Italian National Team) 5h 33’10″
2. Kirsten Wild (Cervelo) + 4″
3. Rasa Lelivyte (Safi Pasta Zara Manhattan) +6″
4. Rochelle Gilmore (Lotto Ladies Team) + 10″
5. Chloe Hosking (HTC Columbia Women) + 12″
6. Martine Bras (Pays-Bas) + 12″
7. Adrie Visser (HTC-Columbia) + 12″
8. Monique Van de Ree (Pays-Bas) + 13″
9. Sarah Duster (Cervelo) + 13″
10. Loes Gunnewijk (Nederland Bloeit) + 15″

Tags: cervelo, cycling, georgia bronzini, Kirsten Wild, liz hatch, Qatar, The Tour, tour of qatar, women