Tom Boonen Takes Qatar Opener – 2012 Tour of Qatar, Stage 1
Tom Boonen Takes Stage 1; Teammate Andy Fenn Sprints to Trofeo Palma Victory
Just moments after commentators mentioned how well Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team has jelled early this season during Tour of Qatar coverage, Tom Boonen, who worked at the front with his teammates within the final 8 km, won the bunch sprint on Sunday's stage 1.
"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 meters and then it was Geert's turn and at 200 meters I launched my sprint."
The flat, 142.5 km course from Barzan Towers to Doha Golf Club was suspected to end in a sprint finish, with mild weather and nothing but tailwind and a slight crosswind at times.
The peloton reeled back the day's only attacker —Adam Hansen of Lotto-Belisol — shortly after the second sprint point location.
Boonen won by multiple bike lengths. Still, he threw his bike across the finish line to ensure his stage win.
Matt Brammeier was seen at the front, working hard for the team in the final kilometers to help set up Boonen for the stage win.
"It was a lovely victory that comes just a few days from the success in Argentina," Boonen said. "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."
Adam Blythe (BMC Racing Team) and Peter Sagan (Liquigas) finished second and third, respectively
Tour of Qatar Stage 1 (Barzan Towers - Doha Golf Club 142.5 km) Results
1. Tom Boonen (BEL) 3:11.22 44.68 km/h (27.76 mph)
2. Adam Blythe (GBR) s.t.
3. Peter Sagan (SVK) s.t.
General Classification After Stage 1
1. Tom Boonen (BEL) 3:11.22 44.68 km/h (27.76 mph)
2. Adam Blythe (GBR) s.t.
3. Peter Sagan (SVK) s.t.
Andy Fenn Wins Trofeo Palma
It didn't take long for newcomer Andy Fenn to learn how to win in a final sprint. In fact, after the Australian transfer, today Fenn achieved the first success of his young career after a very close, hard fought sprint, beating Schulze and Porsev in the first test of the Challenge Mallorca, on a city circuit drawn around Palma di Mallorca for a total of 116 km.
It was a super important victory for the 21-year-old from Birmingham, one of the young up and comers on whom Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team is betting, a rider who's right at home in sprints as well as on cobblestones. In fact, in 2008 Fenn won the junior Paris-Roubaix.
"I'm ecstatic," said Fenn. "I've been dreaming of a victory like this. The team did some extraordinary work. In the last 3 laps we took charge of the race. In the final Matteo Trentin carried me splendidly and I managed to win. It's my first success as a pro; the joy is indescribable. I can't wait to share it with my team mates this evening."
Trofeo Mallorca Trofeo Palma Results
1. Andrew Fenn (GBR) - 2:23.53 48.37 km/h (30.06 mph)
2. Andre Shulze (GER) - s.t.
3. Alexander Porsev (RUS) - s.t.
General Classification After Trofeo Palma
1. Andrew Fenn - 2:23.53 (48.37 km/h - 30.06 mph)
2. Andre Shulze - s.t.
3. Alexander Porsev - s.t.
Photo © OPQS/Tim de Waele
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