Team Effort Sets Up Boonen for Sprint Victory – 2012 Tour of Qatar, Stage 4
Four Omega Pharma - Quick Step Cycling Team riders made a substantial and strong breakaway at Tour of Qatar Stage 4. Three of those riders, Nikolas Maes, Tom Boonen and Gert Steegmans, stayed at the front when that large front group split with a little more than 19 km to go. The team's aggressiveness allowed Boonen prime position for a sprint victory on Wednesday.
“This is an important step towards the general classification,” said Boonen. “The more difficult the race conditions, the more the riders who are in top shape are emerging. Today our team had a perfect race. Once again Steegmans carried me perfectly. I have great faith in Gert and again today we proved our worth.”
Steegmans worked tremendously hard at the front to keep general classification (GC) leader Tom Boonen in perfect position in the group. Steegmans also helped push a pace that eventually ballooned the front group's gap over the peloton to a minute and 10 seconds with less than 5 km to go. That's when two riders — Radioshack-Nissan rider Fabian Cancellara and BMC Racing Team rider Adam Blythe — attacked the front group. They had a small gap, until Steegmans helped Boonen and Maes bridge. Another Team Sky rider bridged with them, but it was clear the numbers were favorable to Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team with 2 km remaining. As the riders approached the final meters, Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team pushed the pace. However, Cancellara had ideas of his own and began his sprint early.
Boonen, who was second wheel in the group, saw Fabian's move and immediately countered with his own sprint. Boonen rode away from the group at that point, crossing the finish line with several bike lengths between he and the others. He still threw his bike across the line, knowing time was of importance with his gold leader's jersey on his back. Boonen also earned time bonuses in the break. Because of his victory, the time bonuses, and second place GC contender Tyler Farrar (Garmin-Barracuda) puncturing and losing the initial large breakaway, Boonen now has a 31 second overall lead.
“It won’t be easy to defend the jersey in these next few days but I’m lucky to have a great team with me,” continued Boonen. “Personally, I feel good and I’m looking forward to the last stages with confidence, even if in the desert flat tires and wires are part of the course.”
Steegmans finished 4th, and Maes finished 5th. Steegmans is also in GC contention, 36 seconds back from Boonen.
“Today the team did a great job and Boonen capitalized on everyone’s efforts” Sports Director Wilfried Peeters said. “Too bad that Vandenbergh and Van Keirsbulck got flats. The next two stages are going to be a battle. With a little luck we’ll try to defend our leadership.”
Tour of Qatar Stage 4 (Al Takhira - Madinat Al Shamal 144.0 km) Results
1. Tom Boonen (BEL) - 03:03.14 (47.15 km/h - 29.30 mph)
2. Tom Veelers (NED)- s.t.
3. Fabian Cancellara (SUI) - s.t.
General Classification After Stage 4
1. Tom Boonen (BEL) - 09:50.50 (45.12 km/h - 28.04 mph)
2. Tyler Farrar (USA) - +.32
3. Juan Antonio Flecha (ESP) - +.34
Photo: © OPQS/Tim de Waele
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