2012 Tour of Qatar: Stage 1 Results

Tom Boonen of the Omega Pharma – Quick Step team dominated the sprint in the first stage of the Tour of Qatar (Barzan Towers-Doha Golf Club – 142.5km), beating Adam Blythe and Peter Sagan at the end of a regal final sprint. Qatar has always been a land of conquest for Boonen and the team.

Image (c) 2012 TDWSport, courtesy of Omega Pharma - Quick Step

This is Tornado Tom’s 19th success in the Middle East, an enviable record that says a lot about the Belgian champion’s calibre and longevity.

“In the final there was a little wind,” explains Boonen. “It was very difficult to stay out front but the guys did a phenomenal job. It was a tough battle to maintain the lead positions. In the final I ended up ahead with Maes and Steegmans. Both of them did a great job. Maes took me from the last curve to 400 metres and then it was Geert’s turn and at 200 metres I launched my sprint. It was a lovely victory that comes just a few days from the success in Argentina. Everyone here is highly motivated. Tomorrow is the team time trial. We’re definitely going to give it our best. With this team we’ve always got to try to achieve excellent results. I think that a place among the first three teams is definitely within our reach. Then in the next few days we’ll see if we can also be contenders for the classification.”

Stage/General Classification

1. Tom Boonen, Omega Pharma – Quick-Step Cycling Team 3:11.22

2. Adam Blythe, BMC Racing Team 3:11.22

3. Peter Sagan, Liquigas 3:11.22

4. Tyler Farrar, Garmin Barricuda 3:11.22

5. Davide Appollonio, Team Sky 3:11.22