Chicchi On the Rise – 2010 Tour of Qatar Stage 4
Liquigas-Doimo's Francesco Chicchi (shown winning the final stage at the 2009 Tour Down Under) proved to be the best of the bunch on today's 146.5 km Stage 4 of the Tour of Qatar. On a day where crosswinds were not a factor, Chicchi would edge out Heinrich Haussler (Cervelo TestTeam), who has finished in second for a second consecutive day, and Juan Jose Haedo (Team Saxo Bank) in a chaotic finish in Al Khor Corniche.
Although the 29-year-old from Camaiore, Italy, has often been overshadowed by the exploits of his own teammate and countryman, Daniele Bennati, Chicchi is an accomplished sprinter in his own right. In addition to a U23 World Championship title (2002), he has won a number of stages in an variety of races throughout his career, including a stage at Paris-Tours (2007), Tirreno-Adriatico (2008), Tour of Missouri (2009), and in this year's Tour de San Luis held in Argentina.
Wouter Mol (Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team) maintained his 9 second lead over Stage 2 breakaway companion Geert Steurs (Topsport Vlaanderen-Mercator), and inched one step closer to winning the General Classification.
Stage 4 Results
1. Francesco Chicchi (Liquigas-Doimo)
2. Heinrich Haussler (Cervélo TestTeam)
3. Juan Jose Haedo (Team Saxo Bank)
General Classification After Stage 4
1. Wouter Mol (Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team)
2. Geert Steurs (Topsport Vlaanderen-Mercator)
3. Tom Boonen (Quick Step)
4. Roger Kluge (Team Milram)
5. Marcus Burghardt ( BMC Racing Team)
6. Danilo Napolitano (Team Katusha)
7. Philippe Gilbert (Omega Pharma - Lotto)
8. Heinrich Haussler (Cervélo TestTeam)
9. Francesco Chicchi (Liquigas-Doimo)
10. Stuart O’Grady (Team Saxo Bank)
Next: Stage 5 - Lusail to Madinat Al Shamal (142 km)
Photo: REUTERS/Brandon Malone
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