Wild Finishes – 2010 Ladies Tour of Qatar Stage 3
Cue Michael Buffer. "The winner, and still..."
The Tour of Qatar has always been known as a sprinter's race because of its flat parcours. And over the course of the three day Ladies' version, the sprinters did indeed have their day. Safi-Pasta Zara Manhattan's top sprinter, Rasa Leleivyte, would surprise on Stage 1, while the always combative Giorgia Bronzini (Italy) would take Stage 2. However, in the race for the overall classification, it was Kirsten Wild (Cervelo TestTeam) who would provide the abject lesson that the best finisher does not always the best sprinter make.
The 27-year-old Dutch rider took today's 94km Stage 3 from the Sealine Beach Resort to the Doha Corniche, and in the process laid claim to as many Ladies Tour of Qatar titles as she has stage wins, two.
By virtue of taking all but one intermediate sprint and finishing respectfully, a 19th and 4th place, in the previous two stages, the defending champion was never more than 4 seconds off the race lead. Wild's Stage 3 victory over Bronzini and America's Lauren Tamayo, who latched on to Wild's wheel in the finishing straight, but was unable to come around, all but secured her reign as the queen of the Gulf emirate of Qatar.
On The Mend
Amber Rais (US National Team), who was slated to make her 2010 debut in Qatar, crashed in training the day before the race started. The initial diagnosis of a fractured pelvis has now been formalized as a nondisplaced fracture of the superior pubic ramus. Her pain is negligible while resting, but becomes excruciating in any attempts to move her right leg. She has not received a full prognosis on her recovery yet, but will most likely receive one once she returns to Austria.
"For the time being, I am in good spirits, finding a helluva lot of motivation in the messages and wishes of everyone who has written. Those messages are helping me focus on looking forward and staying positive. Folks have been sending me funny links, inspirational stories of post-injury comebacks, and some great quotes and websites to keep me occupied. It's keeping my mind on good thoughts, and I am very thankful. The nurses keep saying they can't believe what a good frame of mind I am keeping in spite of the pain; if they could see my inbox, they would know why!"
Stage 3 Results
1. Kirsten Wild (Cervelo TestTeam)
2. Giorgia Bronzini (Italy)
3. Lauren Tamayo (US National Team)
Other Notables
13. Shelley Evans (US National Team)
15. Kirsty Broun (Australia)
16. Trixi Worrack (Germany)
20. Judith Arndt (HTC Columbia Women)
21. Sinead Miller (US National Team)
24. Noemi Cantele (HTC Columbia Women)
29. Tiffany Cromwell (Australia)
37. Sarah Düster (Cervelo TestTeam)
44. Rasa Leleivyte (Safi -Pasta Zara Manhattan)
45. Janel Holcomb (US National Team)
49. Ruth Corset (Australia)
50. Emilia Fahlin (HTC Columbia Women)
57. Rochelle Gilmore (Lotto Ladies Team)
72. Elizabeth Hatch (Lotto Ladies Team)
DNF Chloe Hosking ( HTC Columbia Women)
DNF Katharine Carroll (US National Team)
DNS Susanne Ljungskog (Team MTN)
General Classification - Final
1. Kirsten Wild (Cervelo TestTeam)
2. Giorgia Bronzini (Italy)
3. Rasa Leleivyte (Safi -Pasta Zara Manhattan)
4. Rochelle Gilmore (Lotto Ladies Team)
5. Martine Bras (Netherlands)
6. Lauren Tamayo (US National Team)
7. Adrie Visser (HTC Columbia Women)
8. Kirsty Broun (Australia)
9. Monique Van De Ree (Netherlands)
10. Sarah Düster (Cervelo TestTeam)
Other Notables
16. Tiffany Cromwell (Australia)
18. Trixi Worrack (Germany)
24. Judith Arndt (HTC Columbia Women)
26. Noemi Cantele (HTC Columbia Women)
46. Shelley Evans (US National Team)
50. Emilia Fahlin (HTC Columbia Women)
51. Elizabeth Hatch (Lotto Ladies Team)
52. Janel Holcomb (US National Team)
53. Ruth Corset (Australia)
66. Sinead Miller (US National Team)
Jersey Winners - Final
Overall - Kirsten Wild (Cervelo Test Team)
Points - Giorgia Bronzini (Italy)
Young Rider - Rasa Leleivyte (Safi-Pasta Zara Manhattan)
Photo: KARIM JAAFAR/AFP/Getty Images
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