---

2016 Tour of Qatar (HC)

15th edition: February 8 - February 12, 2016

Tour of Qatar Podium History | 2015 Edition |Start list
Stage 1 | Stage 2 | Stage 3 | Stage 4 | Stage 5

---

Friday, February 12: 5th and Final Stage, Sealine Beach Resort - Doha Corniche, 114 km

Alexander Kristoff gets his third stage win this Tour of Qater

The Race: here's the organizers' stage summary.

After reconquering the golden jersey yesterday in Madinat Al Shamal, Mark Cavendish battled it out to the line capturing second spot of the final sprint which was enough to give him overall victory on the 15th edition of the Tour of Qatar. The last stage of the event was captured by Alexander Kristoff, claiming his third success this year and his 6th in Qatar. Winner of the Tour back in 2013, Cav manages a triumphant return to the race after a three-year absence. The Brit conquers the race with a slim 5'' lead over Kristoff and 8'' over Van Avermaet.

The faces were tense at the start of the 5th and final stage of the Tour of Qatar. And the reasons were obvious. Not only due the wind blowing significantly on the Qatar peninsula, but mainly because there was still a lot at stake in this 15th edition of the event. Indeed after yesterday's upset (puncture in the final 10 kms) concerning former race leader Edvald Boasson Hagen (DDD), the GC had dramatically changed with extremely slim gaps. Taking off with the golden jersey, Mark Cavendish (DDD) only had a 2'' advantage over Greg Van Avermaet (BMC), 6'' over Maniuel Quinziato (BMC) and 9'' over Alexander Kristoff (KAT). In other words overall victory would have to await the final sprint on the Doha Corniche.

Taking off from the Sealine Beach Resort, south of the nation, 130 remaining riders (two non-starters: Koep (SSG) and Ibrahim (SKD) took off for a 114.5-km ride all the way to the Doha Corniche. After only 5 kilometres, three men managed to break away: Tronet (FVC), Declercq (TSV) and Sergent (ALM). Their advantage reached 52'' over counter-attacking rider Van Goethem (ROP) and 2'20'' over the pack. 

Fifteen kilometres later, while the first chasing rider was caught, the gap grew to 2'25'' at km 28 and even a maximum 4' at km 40. Under the control of teams Katusha and Dimension Data, le front rider could still enjoy a comfortable lead once on the final circuit. At the first intermediate sprint of the day (4th crossing of the line, km 74.5), won by Sergent in front of Tronet and Declercq, the main bunch remained 2'15'' adrift.

Apparently not interested by the bonus seconds up for grabs at the second intermediate sprint, team Katusha let the front men battle it out by themselves. Indeed at the 8th crossing of the line (km 97.5), Declercq won the sprint ahead of Sergent and Tronet while the pack was still 28'' adrift.  The first man to be caught was French Champion Steven Tronet at km 104 while the remaining two leaders were gobbled up by the pack with just under two laps to go.

The pack remained bunched all the way the final straight. As expected a royal sprint took place between the two fastest men of the peloton: Cavendish vs Kristoff and it was finally the latter who outsprinted his main rival, crossing the line with a whisker of a lead on ‘Cav' while Roy Jans (WGG) finished third. Like a year ago, Kristoff wins three out of five stages on the Tour of Qatar but only just misses out on overall glory.

A winner of the event back in 2013, Cavendish tops the GC and conquers the final golden jersey. The Brit wins the race with a slim 5'' lead over Kristoff and 8'' over Van Avermaet (BMC). The silver jersey for the best rider in the point's classification naturally goes to Kristoff. Danish rider Søren Kragh Andersen (TGA) finishes best young rider (pearl white jersey) while BMC claims the team classification.

Complete Results:

114 kilometers raced at an average speed of 38.805 km/hr

1	KRISTOFF Alexander	KATUSHA	2hr 56min 16sec
2	CAVENDISH Mark	DIMENSION DATA	s.t.
3	JANS Roy	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	s.t.
4	HUTAROVICH Yauheni	FORTUNEO-VITAL CONCEPT	s.t.
5	MODOLO Sacha	LAMPRE-MERIDA	s.t.
6	BENNETT Sam	BORA-ARGON 18	s.t.
7	HOFLAND Moreno	LOTTO NL - JUMBO	s.t.
8	BOASSON HAGEN Edvald	DIMENSION DATA	s.t.
9	LOOIJ André	ROOMPOT ORANJE PELOTON	s.t.
10	CANOLA Marco	UNITEDHEALTHCARE	s.t.
11	PALINI Andrea	SKYDIVE DUBAÏ	s.t.
12	GUARNIERI Jacopo	KATUSHA	s.t.
13	KUZNETSOV Viacheslav	KATUSHA	s.t.
14	PEDERSEN Mads	STÖLTING SERVICE GROUP	s.t.
15	THWAITES Scott	BORA-ARGON 18	s.t.
16	STEPNIAK Grzegorz	CCC SPRANDI POLKOWICE	s.t.
17	TURGOT Sébastien	AG2R	s.t.
18	VAN AVERMAET Greg	BMC	s.t.
19	SVENDGAARD Michael	STÖLTING SERVICE GROUP	s.t.
20	BAGDONAS Gediminas	AG2R	s.t.
21	GUARDINI Andrea	ASTANA	s.t.
22	CAPIOT Amaury	TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN	s.t.
23	MC LAY DANIEL	FORTUNEO-VITAL CONCEPT	s.t.
24	VANSPEYBROUCK Pieter	TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN	s.t.
25	KUMP Marko	LAMPRE-MERIDA	s.t.
26	ANDERSEN Søren	GIANT-ALPECIN	s.t.
27	JONES Brenton	DRAPAC CYCLING	s.t.
28	ALZATE Carlos	UNITEDHEALTHCARE	s.t.
29	QUINZIATO Manuel	BMC	s.t.
30	VALLEE Boris	FORTUNEO-VITAL CONCEPT	s.t.
31	DE HAES Kenny	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	s.t.
32	MARYCZ Jaroslaw	CCC SPRANDI POLKOWICE	s.t.
33	VAN HECKE Preben	TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN	s.t.
34	SCHÄR Michael	BMC	s.t.
35	KAMBERAJ Xhuliano	SKYDIVE DUBAÏ	s.t.
36	GERARD Arnaud	FORTUNEO-VITAL CONCEPT	s.t.
37	BYSTRÖM Sven Erik	KATUSHA	s.t.
38	VAN EMDEN Jos	LOTTO NL - JUMBO	s.t.
39	TLEUBAYEV Ruslan	ASTANA	s.t.
40	KIENDYS Tomasz	CCC SPRANDI POLKOWICE	s.t.
41	WYNANTS Maarten	LOTTO NL - JUMBO	s.t.
42	DE VRIES Berden	ROOMPOT ORANJE PELOTON	s.t.
43	KUREK Adrian	CCC SPRANDI POLKOWICE	s.t.
44	LOWNDES Jason	DRAPAC CYCLING	s.t.
45	DEMPSTER Zakkari	BORA-ARGON 18	s.t.
46	HOULE Hugo	AG2R	s.t.
47	TEUNISSEN Mike	LOTTO NL - JUMBO	s.t.
48	ZAKHAROV Artyom	ASTANA	@ 8sec
49	HADDI Soufiane	SKYDIVE DUBAÏ	s.t.
50	PIBERNIK Luka	LAMPRE-MERIDA	s.t.
51	KERKHOF Tim	ROOMPOT ORANJE PELOTON	s.t.
52	WEGMANN Fabian	STÖLTING SERVICE GROUP	s.t.
53	STEELS Stijn	TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN	s.t.
54	MAGER Christian	STÖLTING SERVICE GROUP	s.t.
55	VAN SUMMEREN Johan	AG2R	s.t.
56	HASNAOUI Maher	SKYDIVE DUBAÏ	s.t.
57	ROOSEN Timo	LOTTO NL - JUMBO	s.t.
58	MINARD Sébastien	AG2R	s.t.
59	PONZI Simone	CCC SPRANDI POLKOWICE	s.t.
60	FRÖHLINGER Johannes	GIANT-ALPECIN	s.t.
61	KREDER Wesley	ROOMPOT ORANJE PELOTON	s.t.
62	JONES Christopher	UNITEDHEALTHCARE	s.t.
63	TRONET Steven	FORTUNEO-VITAL CONCEPT	s.t.
64	EATON Daniel	UNITEDHEALTHCARE	s.t.
65	VAN GOETHEM Brian	ROOMPOT ORANJE PELOTON	s.t.
66	HONKISZ Adrian	CCC SPRANDI POLKOWICE	s.t.
67	GRETSCH Patrick	AG2R	s.t.
68	POLITT Nils	KATUSHA	s.t.
69	REGUIGUI Youcef	DIMENSION DATA	s.t.
70	SERGENT Jesse	AG2R	s.t.
71	GRUZDEV Dmitriy	ASTANA	s.t.
72	DECLERCQ Tim	TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN	s.t.
73	VAN ROOY Kenneth	TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN	s.t.
74	MORKOV Michael	KATUSHA	+ 00' 15''
75	SELIG Rüdiger	BORA-ARGON 18	s.t.
76	MENZIES Karl	UNITEDHEALTHCARE	+ 00' 16''
77	KEOUGH Luke	UNITEDHEALTHCARE	+ 00' 19''
78	NAPOLITANO Danilo	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	s.t.
79	ANTONINI Simone	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	s.t.
80	THURAU Bjorn	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	+ 00' 22''
81	ROSSKOPF Joseph	BMC	s.t.
82	BOOM Lars	ASTANA	s.t.
83	VAN MEIRHAEGHE Jef	TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN	s.t.
84	ZABEL Rick	BMC	s.t.
85	GAUDIN Damien	AG2R	s.t.
86	DRUCKER Jean-Pierre	BMC	s.t.
87	SULZBERGER Bernard	DRAPAC CYCLING	s.t.
88	VAN ASBROECK Tom	LOTTO NL - JUMBO	s.t.
89	ARCHBOLD Shane	BORA-ARGON 18	s.t.
90	WHITE Bradley	UNITEDHEALTHCARE	s.t.
91	DE TIER Floris	TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN	+ 00' 29''
92	PFINGSTEN Christoph	BORA-ARGON 18	+ 00' 31''
93	SCHILLINGER Andreas	BORA-ARGON 18	s.t.
94	KOZONTCHUK Dmitry	KATUSHA	s.t.
95	THOMSON Jay Robert	DIMENSION DATA	s.t.
96	BUSCHE Matthew	UNITEDHEALTHCARE	s.t.
97	REBELLIN Davide	CCC SPRANDI POLKOWICE	s.t.
98	JELLOUL Adil	SKYDIVE DUBAÏ	s.t.
99	SANTAROMITA Ivan	SKYDIVE DUBAÏ	s.t.
100	SPOKES Samuel	DRAPAC CYCLING	+ 00' 34''
101	BROWN Graeme	DRAPAC CYCLING	s.t.
102	RENSHAW Mark	DIMENSION DATA	+ 00' 37''
103	STENUIT Robin	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	s.t.
104	WAEYTENS ZICO	GIANT-ALPECIN	+ 00' 39''
105	STAMSNIJDER Tom	GIANT-ALPECIN	s.t.
106	MCNALLY Mark	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	+ 00' 46''
107	MARCATO Marco	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	s.t.
108	DEBESAY Mekseb	DIMENSION DATA	+ 00' 48''
109	BRAMMEIER Matthew	DIMENSION DATA	s.t.
110	WAGNER Robert	LOTTO NL - JUMBO	s.t.
111	CASTELIJNS Twan	LOTTO NL - JUMBO	s.t.
112	COSTA Mario	LAMPRE-MERIDA	s.t.
113	JARRIER Benoit	FORTUNEO-VITAL CONCEPT	s.t.
114	ASSELMAN Jesper	ROOMPOT ORANJE PELOTON	+ 00' 59''
115	KONING Peter	DRAPAC CYCLING	s.t.
116	KIRSCH Alex	STÖLTING SERVICE GROUP	s.t.
117	KERBY Jordan	DRAPAC CYCLING	s.t.
118	JI Cheng	GIANT-ALPECIN	@ 1min 4sec
119	REIHS Michael	STÖLTING SERVICE GROUP	s.t.
120	OSS Daniel	BMC	+ 01' 19''
121	HALLER Marco	KATUSHA	+ 01' 26''
122	BREEN Vegard	FORTUNEO-VITAL CONCEPT	+ 01' 27''
123	CIMOLAI Davide	LAMPRE-MERIDA	+ 02' 09''
124	PERICHON Pierre-Luc	FORTUNEO-VITAL CONCEPT	+ 02' 32''
125	WESTRA Lieuwe	ASTANA	s.t.
126	FARRAR Tyler	DIMENSION DATA	s.t.
127	SLIK Ivar	ROOMPOT ORANJE PELOTON	s.t.
128	PÖSTLBERGER Lukas	BORA-ARGON 18	s.t.

Final GC after Stage 5:

625 kilometers raced at an average speed of 45.324 km/hr

• Final GC winner: Mark Cavendish (Dimension Data)
• Points classification winner: Alexander Kristoff (Katusha)
• Young rider classification winner: Søren Andersen (Giant-Alpecin)
• Team classification winner: BMC

1	CAVENDISH Mark	DIMENSION DATA	13hr 47min 23sec
2	KRISTOFF Alexander	KATUSHA	@5sec
3	VAN AVERMAET Greg	BMC	+ 00' 08''
4	QUINZIATO Manuel	BMC	+ 00' 12''
5	BOASSON HAGEN Edvald	DIMENSION DATA	+ 00' 25''
6	ANDERSEN Søren	GIANT-ALPECIN	+ 00' 36''
7	BENNETT Sam	BORA-ARGON 18	+ 00' 47''
8	BYSTRÖM Sven Erik	KATUSHA	+ 00' 55''
9	KUZNETSOV Viacheslav	KATUSHA	+ 00' 56''
10	SCHÄR Michael	BMC	@ 1min 4sec
11	MODOLO Sacha	LAMPRE-MERIDA	+ 01' 12''
12	DEMPSTER Zakkari	BORA-ARGON 18	+ 01' 19''
13	GERARD Arnaud	FORTUNEO-VITAL CONCEPT	+ 01' 22''
14	MORKOV Michael	KATUSHA	+ 01' 36''
15	SELIG Rüdiger	BORA-ARGON 18	+ 01' 50''
16	VAN EMDEN Jos	LOTTO NL - JUMBO	+ 02' 09''
17	GUARDINI Andrea	ASTANA	+ 02' 12''
18	WYNANTS Maarten	LOTTO NL - JUMBO	+ 02' 48''
19	HOFLAND Moreno	LOTTO NL - JUMBO	s.t.
20	GUARNIERI Jacopo	KATUSHA	+ 02' 51''
21	GRUZDEV Dmitriy	ASTANA	+ 03' 10''
22	POLITT Nils	KATUSHA	+ 03' 20''
23	THWAITES Scott	BORA-ARGON 18	+ 03' 22''
24	EATON Daniel	UNITEDHEALTHCARE	+ 03' 38''
25	VAN SUMMEREN Johan	AG2R	+ 03' 45''
26	VANSPEYBROUCK Pieter	TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN	+ 03' 48''
27	HADDI Soufiane	SKYDIVE DUBAÏ	+ 03' 54''
28	ANTONINI Simone	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	+ 03' 59''
29	TURGOT Sébastien	AG2R	+ 04' 02''
30	TLEUBAYEV Ruslan	ASTANA	+ 04' 09''
31	KAMBERAJ Xhuliano	SKYDIVE DUBAÏ	+ 04' 12''
32	KOZONTCHUK Dmitry	KATUSHA	+ 04' 13''
33	PALINI Andrea	SKYDIVE DUBAÏ	+ 04' 15''
34	OSS Daniel	BMC	+ 04' 17''
35	KUREK Adrian	CCC SPRANDI POLKOWICE	+ 04' 22''
36	TRONET Steven	FORTUNEO-VITAL CONCEPT	+ 04' 23''
37	KUMP Marko	LAMPRE-MERIDA	+ 04' 23''
38	JONES Christopher	UNITEDHEALTHCARE	+ 04' 35''
39	THOMSON Jay Robert	DIMENSION DATA	+ 04' 37''
40	STAMSNIJDER Tom	GIANT-ALPECIN	+ 04' 47''
41	DRUCKER Jean-Pierre	BMC	+ 05' 13''
42	RENSHAW Mark	DIMENSION DATA	+ 05' 32''
43	MCNALLY Mark	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	+ 06' 03''
44	BRAMMEIER Matthew	DIMENSION DATA	+ 06' 05''
45	MARCATO Marco	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	+ 06' 31''
46	VAN HECKE Preben	TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN	+ 07' 00''
47	REIHS Michael	STÖLTING SERVICE GROUP	+ 08' 09''
48	STEELS Stijn	TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN	+ 08' 21''
49	DEBESAY Mekseb	DIMENSION DATA	+ 09' 02''
50	TEUNISSEN Mike	LOTTO NL - JUMBO	+ 09' 09''
51	JANS Roy	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	+ 09' 19''
52	PERICHON Pierre-Luc	FORTUNEO-VITAL CONCEPT	+ 09' 47''
53	DECLERCQ Tim	TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN	+ 09' 49''
54	ROOSEN Timo	LOTTO NL - JUMBO	+ 10' 00''
55	ALZATE Carlos	UNITEDHEALTHCARE	+ 10' 55''
56	WEGMANN Fabian	STÖLTING SERVICE GROUP	+ 11' 00''
57	VALLEE Boris	FORTUNEO-VITAL CONCEPT	+ 11' 38''
58	WAEYTENS ZICO	GIANT-ALPECIN	+ 12' 23''
59	FARRAR Tyler	DIMENSION DATA	+ 12' 35''
60	GRETSCH Patrick	AG2R	+ 13' 09''
61	VAN ROOY Kenneth	TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN	+ 13' 16''
62	KIENDYS Tomasz	CCC SPRANDI POLKOWICE	+ 13' 39''
63	VAN GOETHEM Brian	ROOMPOT ORANJE PELOTON	+ 13' 41''
64	ROSSKOPF Joseph	BMC	+ 13' 48''
65	BOOM Lars	ASTANA	+ 13' 53''
66	JONES Brenton	DRAPAC CYCLING	+ 13' 54''
67	CANOLA Marco	UNITEDHEALTHCARE	+ 13' 56''
68	VAN ASBROECK Tom	LOTTO NL - JUMBO	+ 13' 57''
69	PIBERNIK Luka	LAMPRE-MERIDA	+ 13' 57''
70	DE VRIES Berden	ROOMPOT ORANJE PELOTON	+ 13' 58''
71	ZABEL Rick	BMC	+ 14' 05''
72	KREDER Wesley	ROOMPOT ORANJE PELOTON	+ 14' 12''
73	MARYCZ Jaroslaw	CCC SPRANDI POLKOWICE	s.t.
74	LOOIJ André	ROOMPOT ORANJE PELOTON	s.t.
75	SVENDGAARD Michael	STÖLTING SERVICE GROUP	s.t.
76	ZAKHAROV Artyom	ASTANA	+ 14' 16''
77	KERKHOF Tim	ROOMPOT ORANJE PELOTON	+ 14' 26''
78	STEPNIAK Grzegorz	CCC SPRANDI POLKOWICE	+ 14' 39''
79	NAPOLITANO Danilo	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	+ 14' 42''
80	MINARD Sébastien	AG2R	+ 14' 47''
81	JELLOUL Adil	SKYDIVE DUBAÏ	+ 14' 51''
82	FRÖHLINGER Johannes	GIANT-ALPECIN	+ 15' 05''
83	VAN MEIRHAEGHE Jef	TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN	s.t.
84	JARRIER Benoit	FORTUNEO-VITAL CONCEPT	+ 15' 17''
85	ARCHBOLD Shane	BORA-ARGON 18	+ 15' 18''
86	PÖSTLBERGER Lukas	BORA-ARGON 18	+ 15' 18''
87	CASTELIJNS Twan	LOTTO NL - JUMBO	+ 15' 22''
88	WAGNER Robert	LOTTO NL - JUMBO	+ 15' 24''
89	ASSELMAN Jesper	ROOMPOT ORANJE PELOTON	+ 15' 33''
90	HONKISZ Adrian	CCC SPRANDI POLKOWICE	+ 15' 49''
91	CAPIOT Amaury	TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN	+ 15' 57''
92	HALLER Marco	KATUSHA	+ 16' 02''
93	PEDERSEN Mads	STÖLTING SERVICE GROUP	+ 16' 04''
94	WESTRA Lieuwe	ASTANA	+ 16' 09''
95	THURAU Bjorn	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	+ 16' 16''
96	CIMOLAI Davide	LAMPRE-MERIDA	+ 17' 00''
97	BROWN Graeme	DRAPAC CYCLING	+ 17' 06''
98	KIRSCH Alex	STÖLTING SERVICE GROUP	+ 17' 12''
99	SULZBERGER Bernard	DRAPAC CYCLING	+ 17' 22''
100	SCHILLINGER Andreas	BORA-ARGON 18	+ 17' 25''
101	PFINGSTEN Christoph	BORA-ARGON 18	+ 17' 25''
102	HOULE Hugo	AG2R	+ 17' 38''
103	SLIK Ivar	ROOMPOT ORANJE PELOTON	+ 17' 46''
104	GAUDIN Damien	AG2R	+ 18' 07''
105	LOWNDES Jason	DRAPAC CYCLING	+ 18' 13''
106	BREEN Vegard	FORTUNEO-VITAL CONCEPT	+ 18' 27''
107	REGUIGUI Youcef	DIMENSION DATA	+ 18' 48''
108	HASNAOUI Maher	SKYDIVE DUBAÏ	+ 18' 49''
109	SANTAROMITA Ivan	SKYDIVE DUBAÏ	+ 18' 51''
110	DE TIER Floris	TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN	+ 18' 59''
111	REBELLIN Davide	CCC SPRANDI POLKOWICE	+ 19' 07''
112	PONZI Simone	CCC SPRANDI POLKOWICE	+ 19' 19''
113	DE HAES Kenny	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	+ 19' 41''
114	JI Cheng	GIANT-ALPECIN	+ 20' 00''
115	BUSCHE Matthew	UNITEDHEALTHCARE	+ 20' 11''
116	COSTA Mario	LAMPRE-MERIDA	+ 20' 43''
117	HUTAROVICH Yauheni	FORTUNEO-VITAL CONCEPT	+ 22' 16''
118	STENUIT Robin	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	+ 22' 22''
119	MC LAY DANIEL	FORTUNEO-VITAL CONCEPT	+ 22' 35''
120	KEOUGH Luke	UNITEDHEALTHCARE	+ 22' 49''
121	SERGENT Jesse	AG2R	+ 24' 11''
122	SPOKES Samuel	DRAPAC CYCLING	+ 24' 21''
123	WHITE Bradley	UNITEDHEALTHCARE	+ 26' 25''
124	MENZIES Karl	UNITEDHEALTHCARE	+ 26' 29''
125	KONING Peter	DRAPAC CYCLING	+ 26' 33''
126	KERBY Jordan	DRAPAC CYCLING	+ 27' 20''
127	MAGER Christian	STÖLTING SERVICE GROUP	+ 27' 24''
128	BAGDONAS Gediminas	AG2R	+ 28' 38''

---

Thursday, February 11: Stage 4, Alzubarah Fort - Madinat Al Shamal, 189 km

Alexander Kristoff gets his second win this Tour of Qatar

The Race: Here's the stage story from the race organizer.

Looking almost untouchable in gold after his time-trial win yesterday, Edvald Boasson Hagen was hit by bad luck on the 4th stage of the Tour of Qatar. Perfectly positioned at the front with 10 kms to go, the Norwegian suffered an unfortunate puncture that cost him his overall leader's golden jersey. The day's stage victory eventually went to his compatriot Alexander Kristoff winning for the second consecutive year in Madinat Al Shamal. Very saddened by his team mate's upset, Mark Cavendish, fifth today, moves back into race leadership. The battle for glory promises to be extremely intense tomorrow for the final day of the event: indeed only 2'' separate 'Cav' from his closest rival Greg Van Avermaet in the GC.

A day after what looked to be a decisive time-trial conquered by Edvald Boasson Hagen (DDD), the riders gathered around the World Unesco heritage site of the Al Zubarah Fort for stage 4 of the Tour of Qatar. On the menu: a 189-km stage heading to Madinat Al Shamal where the 132 riders would battle it out on a final wind-swept circuit.

After an extremely fast start, thanks to the tailwind, several riders tried their luck but their breakaway efforts were vain. Eventually after 17 kilometres, 9 men managed to power away from the pack : Zakharov (AST), Van Hecke (TSV), McNally (WGG), Gretsch, Turgot (ALM), De Vries (ROP),  Eaton (UHC) and Koep (SSG). Their lead reached a maximum 2'15'' advantage at the first intermediate sprint (km 73) won by Gretsch ahead of Van Hecke and Zakharov.

After a sharp right turn, the pace of the pack went dramatically faster, led by team BMC Racing. While the gap with the front men started dropping, the pack broke up into several groups. In the leading group of 31 behind the escapees were golden jersey Boasson Hagen, silver jersey Mark Cavendish (DDD), white pearl jersey Andersen (TGA) as well as all the main favourites. The gap continued dropping and eventually the front 9 were caught at km 88. Meanwhile as the front group entered the circuit around Madinat Al Shamal, the main pack including the likes of Sam Bennett (BOA) and Sven Erik Bystrøm (KAT) remained 52'' adrift. Facing the wind, all the groups eventually bunched up together again at km 110.

Five kilometres later, four men gave it a go: Van Hecke, McNally and Gretsch, again, as well as Asselman (ROP). Their lead rapidly grew and reached a maximum 2'15'' at the first crossing of the line (km 135). At the second bonus sprint (2nd crossing of the line, km 148.5) won by Gretsch ahead of Asselman and McNally, the bunch had moved closer but remained 1'25'' adrift.

Led by team Dimension Data, the pack carried on gaining time on the breakaway riders who were finally caught with just under one lap to go (km 176). The riders from teams BMC and LottoNL - Jumbo then decided to take control of the bunch and while 33 riders were left at the front, overall leader Boasson Hagen suffered a puncture with just under 10 kilometres to go. Despite being helped out by team mate Reguigui, the Norwegian was left stranded behind. BMC continued powering ahead and the gap over yesterday's stage winner reached 40'' with 5kms left.

While Boasson Hagen was seeing his golden jersey hopes fade away, time had come for a bunched sprint. Perfectly led out by his Katusha team mates, Alexander Kristoff flew to his second stage win this year, only just beating Greg Van Avermaet (BMC) to the line while Jacopo Guarnieri (KAT) finished third. Already a winner in Madinat Al Shamal last year, Kristoff claimes his fifth success in Qatar.

Fifth on the day, Mark Cavendish (DDD) re-conquers the golden jersey from his team mate Boasson Hagen. The Brit has a very slim 2'' lead over Van Avermaet and 6'' over Quinziato (BMC) with one final stage to go. Thanks to his stage win, Kristoff takes command of the points classification and will be wearing the silver jersey tomorrow between the Sealine Beach Resort and the Doha Corniche. The white pearl jersey for the best young rider remains on the shoulders of Søren Kragh Andersen (TGA).

Complete Results:

189 kilometers raced at an average speed of 47.808 km/hr

1	KRISTOFF Alexander	KATUSHA	3hr 57min 12sec
2	VAN AVERMAET Greg	BMC	s.t.
3	GUARNIERI Jacopo	KATUSHA	s.t.
4	BENNETT Sam	BORA-ARGON 18	s.t.
5	CAVENDISH Mark	DIMENSION DATA	s.t.
6	QUINZIATO Manuel	BMC	s.t.
7	KUZNETSOV Viacheslav	KATUSHA	@ 6sec
8	ANDERSEN Søren Kragh	GIANT-ALPECIN	+ 00' 08''
9	HOFLAND Moreno	LOTTO NL-JUMBO	+ 00' 09''
10	MORKOV Michael	KATUSHA	s.t.
11	JANS Roy	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	s.t.
12	SCHÄR Michael	BMC	s.t.
13	BYSTRÖM Sven Erik	KATUSHA	+ 00' 13''
14	MODOLO Sacha	LAMPRE-MERIDA	+ 00' 14''
15	GERARD Arnaud	FORTUNEO-VITAL CONCEPT	+ 00' 18''
16	DEMPSTER Zakkari	BORA-ARGON 18	s.t.
17	SELIG Rüdiger	BORA-ARGON 18	s.t.
18	WYNANTS Maarten	LOTTO NL-JUMBO	s.t.
19	VAN EMDEN Jos	LOTTO NL-JUMBO	s.t.
20	VAN ASBROECK Tom	LOTTO NL-JUMBO	+ 00' 20''
21	LOOIJ André	ROOMPOT ORANJE PELOTON	+ 00' 29''
22	TEUNISSEN Mike	LOTTO NL-JUMBO	+ 00' 34''
23	ROOSEN Timo	LOTTO NL-JUMBO	s.t.
24	KREDER Wesley	ROOMPOT ORANJE PELOTON	+ 00' 36''
25	VAN GOETHEM Brian	ROOMPOT ORANJE PELOTON	s.t.
26	DE HAES Kenny	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	+ 00' 45''
27	CAPIOT Amaury	TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN	s.t.
28	SVENDGAARD Michael	STÖLTING SERVICE GROUP	s.t.
29	CANOLA Marco	UNITEDHEALTHCARE	s.t.
30	DECLERCQ Tim	TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN	s.t.
31	HUTAROVICH Yauheni	FORTUNEO-VITAL CONCEPT	s.t.
32	GUARDINI Andrea	ASTANA PRO TEAM	s.t.
33	NAPOLITANO Danilo	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	s.t.
34	BOASSON HAGEN Edvald	DIMENSION DATA	s.t.
35	VANSPEYBROUCK Pieter	TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN	s.t.
36	KAMBERAJ Xhuliano	SKYDIVE DUBAÏ	s.t.
37	TLEUBAYEV Ruslan	ASTANA PRO TEAM	s.t.
38	ARASHIRO Yukiya	LAMPRE-MERIDA	s.t.
39	EATON Daniel	UNITEDHEALTHCARE	s.t.
40	KOZONTCHUK Dmitry	KATUSHA	s.t.
41	HADDI Soufiane	SKYDIVE DUBAÏ	s.t.
42	KUMP Marko	LAMPRE-MERIDA	s.t.
43	PIBERNIK Luka	LAMPRE-MERIDA	s.t.
44	ROSSKOPF Joseph	BMC	s.t.
45	ANTONINI Simone	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	s.t.
46	STENUIT Robin	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	s.t.
47	BAGDONAS Gediminas	AG2R LA MONDIALE	s.t.
48	OSS Daniel	BMC	s.t.
49	ARCHBOLD Shane	BORA-ARGON 18	s.t.
50	THWAITES Scott	BORA-ARGON 18	s.t.
51	VAN SUMMEREN Johan	AG2R LA MONDIALE	s.t.
52	POLITT Nils	KATUSHA	+ 00' 55''
53	PALINI Andrea	SKYDIVE DUBAÏ	s.t.
54	TRONET Steven	FORTUNEO-VITAL CONCEPT	s.t.
55	JONES Brenton	DRAPAC CYCLING	+ 00' 56''
56	KEOUGH Luke	UNITEDHEALTHCARE	s.t.
57	SLIK Ivar	ROOMPOT ORANJE PELOTON	s.t.
58	PFINGSTEN Christoph	BORA-ARGON 18	s.t.
59	STAMSNIJDER Tom	GIANT-ALPECIN	s.t.
60	TURGOT Sébastien	AG2R LA MONDIALE	s.t.
61	VALLEE Boris	FORTUNEO-VITAL CONCEPT	s.t.
62	GRUZDEV Dmitriy	ASTANA PRO TEAM	s.t.
63	STEPNIAK Grzegorz	CCC SPRANDI POLKOWICE	s.t.
64	JELLOUL Adil	SKYDIVE DUBAÏ	s.t.
65	KERKHOF Tim	ROOMPOT ORANJE PELOTON	s.t.
66	ZAKHAROV Artyom	ASTANA PRO TEAM	@ 1min 5sec
67	ASSELMAN Jesper	ROOMPOT ORANJE PELOTON	+ 01' 07''
68	ZABEL Rick	BMC	s.t.
69	VAN ROOY Kenneth	TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN	s.t.
70	DRUCKER Jean-Pierre	BMC	+ 01' 10''
71	CIMOLAI Davide	LAMPRE-MERIDA	s.t.
72	MINARD Sébastien	AG2R LA MONDIALE	s.t.
73	ZURLO Federico	LAMPRE-MERIDA	s.t.
74	FRÖHLINGER Johannes	GIANT-ALPECIN	+ 01' 16''
75	THURAU Bjorn	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	s.t.
76	SPOKES Samuel	DRAPAC CYCLING	s.t.
77	SULZBERGER Bernard	DRAPAC CYCLING	s.t.
78	DE VRIES Berden	ROOMPOT ORANJE PELOTON	s.t.
79	SCHILLINGER Andreas	BORA-ARGON 18	s.t.
80	MARCATO Marco	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	s.t.
81	WAEYTENS ZICO	GIANT-ALPECIN	s.t.
82	JARRIER Benoit	FORTUNEO-VITAL CONCEPT	+ 01' 20''
83	JONES Christopher	UNITEDHEALTHCARE	s.t.
84	THOMSON Jay Robert	DIMENSION DATA	s.t.
85	CASTELIJNS Twan	LOTTO NL-JUMBO	+ 01' 23''
86	KUREK Adrian	CCC SPRANDI POLKOWICE	s.t.
87	WEGMANN Fabian	STÖLTING SERVICE GROUP	s.t.
88	HALLER Marco	KATUSHA	s.t.
89	WAGNER Robert	LOTTO NL-JUMBO	+ 01' 26''
90	RENSHAW Mark	DIMENSION DATA	+ 01' 40''
91	MCNALLY Mark	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	+ 01' 44''
92	MC LAY DANIEL	FORTUNEO-VITAL CONCEPT	s.t.
93	BRAMMEIER Matthew	DIMENSION DATA	s.t.
94	BROWN Graeme	DRAPAC CYCLING	+ 02' 59''
95	KIRSCH Alex	STÖLTING SERVICE GROUP	+ 03' 20''
96	PEDERSEN Mads	STÖLTING SERVICE GROUP	+ 03' 23''
97	REIHS Michael	STÖLTING SERVICE GROUP	s.t.
98	GRETSCH Patrick	AG2R LA MONDIALE	+ 04' 12''
99	KIENDYS Tomasz	CCC SPRANDI POLKOWICE	s.t.
100	BREEN Vegard	FORTUNEO-VITAL CONCEPT	s.t.
101	SERGENT Jesse	AG2R LA MONDIALE	s.t.
102	VAN HECKE Preben	TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN	s.t.
103	PERICHON Pierre-Luc	FORTUNEO-VITAL CONCEPT	s.t.
104	FARRAR Tyler	DIMENSION DATA	s.t.
105	WESTRA Lieuwe	ASTANA PRO TEAM	s.t.
106	DE TIER Floris	TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN	+ 05' 05''
107	HASNAOUI Maher	SKYDIVE DUBAÏ	s.t.
108	COSTA Mario	LAMPRE-MERIDA	s.t.
109	ALZATE Carlos	UNITEDHEALTHCARE	s.t.
110	WHITE Bradley	UNITEDHEALTHCARE	s.t.
111	LOWNDES Jason	DRAPAC CYCLING	s.t.
112	MENZIES Karl	UNITEDHEALTHCARE	s.t.
113	PÖSTLBERGER Lukas	BORA-ARGON 18	s.t.
114	REBELLIN Davide	CCC SPRANDI POLKOWICE	s.t.
115	KONING Peter	DRAPAC CYCLING	s.t.
116	HONKISZ Adrian	CCC SPRANDI POLKOWICE	s.t.
117	KERBY Jordan	DRAPAC CYCLING	s.t.
118	JI Cheng	GIANT-ALPECIN	s.t.
119	DEBESAY Mekseb	DIMENSION DATA	s.t.
120	PONZI Simone	CCC SPRANDI POLKOWICE	s.t.
121	HOULE Hugo	AG2R LA MONDIALE	s.t.
122	SANTAROMITA Ivan	SKYDIVE DUBAÏ	s.t.
123	GAUDIN Damien	AG2R LA MONDIALE	s.t.
124	MARYCZ Jaroslaw	CCC SPRANDI POLKOWICE	s.t.
125	BUSCHE Matthew	UNITEDHEALTHCARE	s.t.
126	BOOM Lars	ASTANA PRO TEAM	s.t.
127	REGUIGUI Youcef	DIMENSION DATA	s.t.
128	MAGER Christian	STÖLTING SERVICE GROUP	s.t.
129	SMUKULIS Gatis	ASTANA PRO TEAM	s.t.
130	STEELS Stijn	TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN	s.t.
131	VAN MEIRHAEGHE Jef	TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN	s.t.

GC after Stage 4:

511 kilometers raced so far at an average speed of 47.081 km/hr

1	CAVENDISH Mark	DIMENSION DATA	10hr 51min 13sec
2	VAN AVERMAET Greg	BMC	@ 2sec
3	QUINZIATO Manuel	BMC	+ 00' 06''
4	KRISTOFF Alexander	KATUSHA	+ 00' 09''
5	BOASSON HAGEN Edvald	DIMENSION DATA	+ 00' 19''
6	ANDERSEN Søren Kragh	GIANT-ALPECIN	+ 00' 30''
7	BENNETT Sam	BORA-ARGON 18	+ 00' 41''
8	BYSTRÖM Sven Erik	KATUSHA	+ 00' 49''
9	KUZNETSOV Viacheslav	KATUSHA	+ 00' 50''
10	SCHÄR Michael	BMC	+ 00' 58''
11	MODOLO Sacha	LAMPRE-MERIDA	@ 1min 6''sec
12	DEMPSTER Zakkari	BORA-ARGON 18	+ 01' 13''
13	MORKOV Michael	KATUSHA	+ 01' 15''
14	GERARD Arnaud	FORTUNEO-VITAL CONCEPT	+ 01' 16''
15	SELIG Rüdiger	BORA-ARGON 18	+ 01' 29''
16	VAN EMDEN Jos	LOTTO NL-JUMBO	+ 02' 03''
17	GUARDINI Andrea	ASTANA PRO TEAM	+ 02' 06''
18	WYNANTS Maarten	LOTTO NL-JUMBO	+ 02' 42''
19	HOFLAND Moreno	LOTTO NL-JUMBO	s.t.
20	GUARNIERI Jacopo	KATUSHA	+ 02' 45''
21	OSS Daniel	BMC	+ 02' 52''
22	GRUZDEV Dmitriy	ASTANA PRO TEAM	+ 02' 56''
23	POLITT Nils	KATUSHA	+ 03' 06''
24	THWAITES Scott	BORA-ARGON 18	+ 03' 16''
25	EATON Daniel	UNITEDHEALTHCARE	+ 03' 24''
26	VAN SUMMEREN Johan	AG2R LA MONDIALE	+ 03' 31''
27	ANTONINI Simone	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	+ 03' 34''
28	KOZONTCHUK Dmitry	KATUSHA	+ 03' 36''
29	HADDI Soufiane	SKYDIVE DUBAÏ	+ 03' 40''
30	VANSPEYBROUCK Pieter	TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN	+ 03' 42''
31	TURGOT Sébastien	AG2R LA MONDIALE	+ 03' 56''
32	THOMSON Jay Robert	DIMENSION DATA	+ 04' 00''
33	STAMSNIJDER Tom	GIANT-ALPECIN	+ 04' 02''
34	TLEUBAYEV Ruslan	ASTANA PRO TEAM	+ 04' 03''
35	KAMBERAJ Xhuliano	SKYDIVE DUBAÏ	+ 04' 06''
36	PALINI Andrea	SKYDIVE DUBAÏ	+ 04' 09''
37	TRONET Steven	FORTUNEO-VITAL CONCEPT	+ 04' 12''
38	KUREK Adrian	CCC SPRANDI POLKOWICE	+ 04' 16''
39	KUMP Marko	LAMPRE-MERIDA	+ 04' 17''
40	JONES Christopher	UNITEDHEALTHCARE	+ 04' 21''
41	DRUCKER Jean-Pierre	BMC	+ 04' 45''
42	RENSHAW Mark	DIMENSION DATA	+ 04' 49''
43	MCNALLY Mark	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	+ 05' 11''
44	BRAMMEIER Matthew	DIMENSION DATA	+ 05' 11''
45	MARCATO Marco	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	+ 05' 39''
46	VAN HECKE Preben	TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN	+ 06' 54''
47	REIHS Michael	STÖLTING SERVICE GROUP	+ 06' 59''
48	PERICHON Pierre-Luc	FORTUNEO-VITAL CONCEPT	+ 07' 09''
49	STEELS Stijn	TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN	+ 08' 07''
50	DEBESAY Mekseb	DIMENSION DATA	+ 08' 08''
51	TEUNISSEN Mike	LOTTO NL-JUMBO	+ 09' 03''
52	JANS Roy	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	+ 09' 17''
53	DECLERCQ Tim	TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN	+ 09' 39''
54	ROOSEN Timo	LOTTO NL-JUMBO	+ 09' 46''
55	FARRAR Tyler	DIMENSION DATA	+ 09' 57''
56	WEGMANN Fabian	STÖLTING SERVICE GROUP	+ 10' 46''
57	ALZATE Carlos	UNITEDHEALTHCARE	+ 10' 49''
58	VALLEE Boris	FORTUNEO-VITAL CONCEPT	+ 11' 32''
59	WAEYTENS ZICO	GIANT-ALPECIN	+ 11' 38''
60	PÖSTLBERGER Lukas	BORA-ARGON 18	+ 12' 40''
61	GRETSCH Patrick	AG2R LA MONDIALE	+ 12' 55''
62	VAN ROOY Kenneth	TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN	+ 13' 02''
63	ROSSKOPF Joseph	BMC	+ 13' 20''
64	BOOM Lars	ASTANA PRO TEAM	+ 13' 25''
65	VAN GOETHEM Brian	ROOMPOT ORANJE PELOTON	+ 13' 27''
66	VAN ASBROECK Tom	LOTTO NL-JUMBO	+ 13' 29''
67	WESTRA Lieuwe	ASTANA PRO TEAM	+ 13' 31''
68	KIENDYS Tomasz	CCC SPRANDI POLKOWICE	+ 13' 33''
69	ZABEL Rick	BMC	+ 13' 37''
70	SMUKULIS Gatis	ASTANA PRO TEAM	+ 13' 41''
71	PIBERNIK Luka	LAMPRE-MERIDA	+ 13' 43''
72	JONES Brenton	DRAPAC CYCLING	+ 13' 48''
73	CANOLA Marco	UNITEDHEALTHCARE	+ 13' 50''
74	DE VRIES Berden	ROOMPOT ORANJE PELOTON	+ 13' 52''
75	KREDER Wesley	ROOMPOT ORANJE PELOTON	+ 13' 58''
76	ZAKHAROV Artyom	ASTANA PRO TEAM	+ 14' 02''
77	MARYCZ Jaroslaw	CCC SPRANDI POLKOWICE	+ 14' 06''
78	LOOIJ André	ROOMPOT ORANJE PELOTON	+ 14' 06''
79	SVENDGAARD Michael	STÖLTING SERVICE GROUP	+ 14' 06''
80	ARASHIRO Yukiya	LAMPRE-MERIDA	+ 14' 07''
81	KERKHOF Tim	ROOMPOT ORANJE PELOTON	+ 14' 12''
82	JELLOUL Adil	SKYDIVE DUBAÏ	+ 14' 14''
83	NAPOLITANO Danilo	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	+ 14' 17''
84	JARRIER Benoit	FORTUNEO-VITAL CONCEPT	+ 14' 23''
85	CASTELIJNS Twan	LOTTO NL-JUMBO	+ 14' 28''
86	ASSELMAN Jesper	ROOMPOT ORANJE PELOTON	+ 14' 28''
87	WAGNER Robert	LOTTO NL-JUMBO	+ 14' 30''
88	HALLER Marco	KATUSHA	+ 14' 30''
89	MINARD Sébastien	AG2R LA MONDIALE	+ 14' 33''
90	STEPNIAK Grzegorz	CCC SPRANDI POLKOWICE	+ 14' 33''
91	VAN MEIRHAEGHE Jef	TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN	+ 14' 37''
92	CIMOLAI Davide	LAMPRE-MERIDA	+ 14' 45''
93	ARCHBOLD Shane	BORA-ARGON 18	+ 14' 50''
94	FRÖHLINGER Johannes	GIANT-ALPECIN	+ 14' 51''
95	SLIK Ivar	ROOMPOT ORANJE PELOTON	+ 15' 08''
96	HONKISZ Adrian	CCC SPRANDI POLKOWICE	+ 15' 35''
97	THURAU Bjorn	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	+ 15' 48''
98	CAPIOT Amaury	TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN	+ 15' 51''
99	PEDERSEN Mads	STÖLTING SERVICE GROUP	+ 15' 58''
100	KIRSCH Alex	STÖLTING SERVICE GROUP	+ 16' 07''
101	BROWN Graeme	DRAPAC CYCLING	+ 16' 26''
102	SCHILLINGER Andreas	BORA-ARGON 18	+ 16' 48''
103	PFINGSTEN Christoph	BORA-ARGON 18	+ 16' 48''
104	BREEN Vegard	FORTUNEO-VITAL CONCEPT	+ 16' 54''
105	SULZBERGER Bernard	DRAPAC CYCLING	+ 16' 54''
106	HOULE Hugo	AG2R LA MONDIALE	+ 17' 32''
107	GAUDIN Damien	AG2R LA MONDIALE	+ 17' 39''
108	LOWNDES Jason	DRAPAC CYCLING	+ 18' 07''
109	SANTAROMITA Ivan	SKYDIVE DUBAÏ	+ 18' 14''
110	DE TIER Floris	TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN	+ 18' 24''
111	REBELLIN Davide	CCC SPRANDI POLKOWICE	+ 18' 30''
112	REGUIGUI Youcef	DIMENSION DATA	+ 18' 34''
113	HASNAOUI Maher	SKYDIVE DUBAÏ	+ 18' 35''
114	JI Cheng	GIANT-ALPECIN	+ 18' 50''
115	PONZI Simone	CCC SPRANDI POLKOWICE	+ 19' 05''
116	BUSCHE Matthew	UNITEDHEALTHCARE	+ 19' 34''
117	DE HAES Kenny	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	+ 19' 35''
118	COSTA Mario	LAMPRE-MERIDA	+ 19' 49''
119	STENUIT Robin	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	+ 21' 39''
120	ZURLO Federico	LAMPRE-MERIDA	+ 21' 42''
121	HUTAROVICH Yauheni	FORTUNEO-VITAL CONCEPT	+ 22' 10''
122	KEOUGH Luke	UNITEDHEALTHCARE	+ 22' 24''
123	MC LAY DANIEL	FORTUNEO-VITAL CONCEPT	+ 22' 29''
124	SPOKES Samuel	DRAPAC CYCLING	+ 23' 41''
125	SERGENT Jesse	AG2R LA MONDIALE	+ 24' 02''
126	KONING Peter	DRAPAC CYCLING	+ 25' 28''
127	WHITE Bradley	UNITEDHEALTHCARE	+ 25' 57''
128	MENZIES Karl	UNITEDHEALTHCARE	+ 26' 07''
129	KERBY Jordan	DRAPAC CYCLING	+ 26' 15''
130	MAGER Christian	STÖLTING SERVICE GROUP	+ 27' 10''
131	BAGDONAS Gediminas	AG2R LA MONDIALE	+ 28' 32''

---

Wednesday, February 10: Stage 3, Lusail 11 kilometer individual time trial

Edvald Boasson Hagen showing how time trialing is done.

The race: here's the organizer's stage explanation:

The Tour of Qatar has a new boss. Thanks to his outstanding performance on the day's 11.4-km time-trial, Edvald Boasson Hagen not only captured his first ever success in Qatar, beating Van Emden and Quinziato, he also took a solid command of the general classification. Despite an excellent 7th fastest time today, Mark Cavendish sees his Golden jersey go to his Dimension Data team mate.

After two normal stages and intense battles between the top guns of the Tour of Qatar, day 3 of the event offered a far different menu to the 133 remaining riders : a windy 11.4-km individual time-trial set between the Lusail MotoGP circuit and the spectacular Arena that welcomed last year's Handball World Championships.

After best times set by Jesse Sergent (ALM), and Jordan Kerby (DPC), experienced Lieuwe Westra (AST) hit hard, clocking a reference time of 14'09''. The Dutchman's time remained unthreatened for 45 minutes before his compatriot Jos van Emden (TLJ) flew to the line in an impressive time of 13'51''.

But the man of the day would be Edvald Boasson Hagen (DDD). The Norwegian first set the fastest time at the intermediate time-check in 6'16'' before crossing the line in an astonishing 13'26'', winning the stage at an average speed of 50.918 km/h, with a comfortable 25'' advantage over Van Emden and 29'' over Manuel Quinziato (BMC). On the exact same circuit as last year, the Dimension Data rider thrashed the previous record set by Niki Terpstra (14'03'') and established a time that was 59'' faster than his personal best of 2015 when he finished 8th.

Starting his timed effort with a slim 5'' lead over Kristoff in the GC, Mark Cavendish had to bid farewell to his Golden Jersey, despite a very decent 7th fastest time, just 44'' adrift. The new overall leader is his team mate Boasson Hagen who can enjoy a 26'' advantage over Cavendish and 29'' over Quinziato. ‘Cav' however keeps command of the points classification and will therefore be wearing the silver jersey on tomorrow's 4th stage between Al Zubarah and Madinat Al Shamal. The white pearl jersey for the best young rider switches shoulders and returns to those of Søren Kragh Andersen (TGA).

Complete results:

11 kilometers raced at an average speed of 49.132 km/hr

1	BOASSON HAGEN Edvald	DIMENSION DATA	13min 26sec
2	VAN EMDEN Jos	LOTTO NL-JUMBO	@ 25sec
3	QUINZIATO Manuel	BMC	+ 00' 29''
4	VAN AVERMAET Greg	BMC	+ 00' 32''
5	GRUZDEV Dmitriy	ASTANA	+ 00' 40''
6	WESTRA Lieuwe	ASTANA	+ 00' 43''
7	CAVENDISH Mark	DIMENSION DATA	+ 00' 44''
8	KERBY Jordan	DRAPAC CYCLING	s.t.
9	ANDERSEN Søren Kragh	GIANT-ALPECIN	+ 00' 45''
10	OSS Daniel	BMC	+ 00' 47''
11	POLITT Nils	KATUSHA	+ 00' 51''
12	BOOM Lars	ASTANA	s.t.
13	HOULE Hugo	AG2R-LA MONDIALE	+ 00' 57''
14	SERGENT Jesse	AG2R-LA MONDIALE	+ 00' 58''
15	KRISTOFF Alexander	KATUSHA	s.t.
16	BYSTRÖM Sven Erik	KATUSHA	+ 00' 59''
17	ZABEL Rick	BMC	@ 1min 0sec
18	TEUNISSEN Mike	LOTTO NL-JUMBO	s.t.
19	DRUCKER Jean-Pierre	BMC	+ 01' 03''
20	GAUDIN Damien	AG2R-LA MONDIALE	+ 01' 04''
21	WYNANTS Maarten	LOTTO NL-JUMBO	s.t.
22	BENNETT Sam	BORA-ARGON 18	s.t.
23	PÖSTLBERGER Lukas	BORA-ARGON 18	s.t.
24	ROSSKOPF Joseph	BMC	+ 01' 05''
25	PEDERSEN Mads	STÖLTING SERVICE GROUP	s.t.
26	DE VRIES Berden	ROOMPOT ORANJE PELOTON	+ 01' 06''
27	SMUKULIS Gatis	ASTANA	+ 01' 09''
28	KUZNETSOV Viacheslav	KATUSHA	+ 01' 10''
29	MORKOV Michael	KATUSHA	+ 01' 11''
30	THWAITES Scott	BORA-ARGON 18	s.t.
31	SCHÄR Michael	BMC	+ 01' 12''
32	BREEN Vegard	FORTUNEO-VITAL CONCEPT	s.t.
33	HOFLAND Moreno	LOTTO NL-JUMBO	+ 01' 13''
34	KIRSCH Alex	STÖLTING SERVICE GROUP	+ 01' 17''
35	DEMPSTER Zakkari	BORA-ARGON 18	+ 01' 18''
36	KONING Peter	DRAPAC CYCLING	+ 01' 19''
37	EATON Daniel	UNITEDHEALTHCARE	s.t.
38	THOMSON Jay Robert	DIMENSION DATA	+ 01' 20''
39	GRETSCH Patrick	AG2R-LA MONDIALE	s.t.
40	BAGDONAS Gediminas	AG2R-LA MONDIALE	+ 01' 21''
41	GERARD Arnaud	FORTUNEO-VITAL CONCEPT	s.t.
42	VAN GOETHEM Brian	ROOMPOT ORANJE PELOTON	s.t.
43	MODOLO Sacha	LAMPRE - MERIDA	+ 01' 22''
44	JONES Brenton	DRAPAC CYCLING	s.t.
45	DECLERCQ Tim	TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN	+ 01' 25''
46	VAN SUMMEREN Johan	AG2R-LA MONDIALE	+ 01' 26''
47	MARCATO Marco	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	+ 01' 27''
48	VAN HECKE Preben	TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN	s.t.
49	WAEYTENS ZICO	GIANT-ALPECIN	s.t.
50	ZAKHAROV Artyom	ASTANA	+ 01' 28''
51	PIBERNIK Luka	LAMPRE - MERIDA	s.t.
52	GUARNIERI Jacopo	KATUSHA	+ 01' 29''
53	ANTONINI Simone	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	s.t.
54	SELIG Rüdiger	BORA-ARGON 18	s.t.
55	KOZONTCHUK Dmitry	KATUSHA	+ 01' 31''
56	VALLEE Boris	FORTUNEO-VITAL CONCEPT	s.t.
57	LOWNDES Jason	DRAPAC CYCLING	+ 01' 32''
58	MARYCZ Jaroslaw	CCC SPRANDI POLKOWICE	s.t.
59	JARRIER Benoit	FORTUNEO-VITAL CONCEPT	+ 01' 33''
60	KUREK Adrian	CCC SPRANDI POLKOWICE	s.t.
61	WAGNER Robert	LOTTO NL-JUMBO	+ 01' 34''
62	CANOLA Marco	UNITEDHEALTHCARE	+ 01' 35''
63	HADDI Soufiane	SKYDIVE DUBAÏ	s.t.
64	CASTELIJNS Twan	LOTTO NL-JUMBO	s.t.
65	VANSPEYBROUCK Pieter	TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN	+ 01' 37''
66	PERICHON Pierre-Luc	FORTUNEO-VITAL CONCEPT	s.t.
67	HALLER Marco	KATUSHA	s.t.
68	VAN ASBROECK Tom	LOTTO NL-JUMBO	+ 01' 39''
69	SANTAROMITA Ivan	SKYDIVE DUBAÏ	s.t.
70	TURGOT Sébastien	AG2R-LA MONDIALE	+ 01' 40''
71	ZURLO Federico	LAMPRE - MERIDA	s.t.
72	JONES Christopher	UNITEDHEALTHCARE	+ 01' 41''
73	STEELS Stijn	TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN	+ 01' 42''
74	SCHILLINGER Andreas	BORA-ARGON 18	s.t.
75	DEBESAY Mekseb	DIMENSION DATA	+ 01' 43''
76	ROOSEN Timo	LOTTO NL-JUMBO	s.t.
77	JANS Roy	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	s.t.
78	THURAU Bjorn	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	s.t.
79	BUSCHE Matthew	UNITEDHEALTHCARE	+ 01' 45''
80	STAMSNIJDER Tom	GIANT-ALPECIN	+ 01' 46''
81	KERKHOF Tim	ROOMPOT ORANJE PELOTON	s.t.
82	ALZATE Carlos	UNITEDHEALTHCARE	+ 01' 47''
83	JELLOUL Adil	SKYDIVE DUBAÏ	+ 01' 48''
84	GUARDINI Andrea	ASTANA	s.t.
85	COSTA Mario	LAMPRE - MERIDA	s.t.
86	WHITE Bradley	UNITEDHEALTHCARE	s.t.
87	RENSHAW Mark	DIMENSION DATA	+ 01' 49''
88	DE TIER Floris	TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN	s.t.
89	KOEP Thomas	STÖLTING SERVICE GROUP	s.t.
90	STENUIT Robin	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	+ 01' 50''
91	VAN ROOY Kenneth	TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN	s.t.
92	SVENDGAARD Michael	STÖLTING SERVICE GROUP	+ 01' 51''
93	KREDER Wesley	ROOMPOT ORANJE PELOTON	+ 01' 52''
94	ARASHIRO Yukiya	LAMPRE - MERIDA	s.t.
95	KIENDYS Tomasz	CCC SPRANDI POLKOWICE	s.t.
96	MINARD Sébastien	AG2R-LA MONDIALE	+ 01' 53''
97	MC LAY DANIEL	FORTUNEO-VITAL CONCEPT	s.t.
98	ASSELMAN Jesper	ROOMPOT ORANJE PELOTON	s.t.
99	PALINI Andrea	SKYDIVE DUBAÏ	+ 01' 54''
100	WEGMANN Fabian	STÖLTING SERVICE GROUP	s.t.
101	REBELLIN Davide	CCC SPRANDI POLKOWICE	+ 01' 55''
102	SPOKES Samuel	DRAPAC CYCLING	+ 01' 57''
103	TRONET Steven	FORTUNEO-VITAL CONCEPT	s.t.
104	BROWN Graeme	DRAPAC CYCLING	s.t.
105	MENZIES Karl	UNITEDHEALTHCARE	+ 01' 58''
106	TLEUBAYEV Ruslan	ASTANA	s.t.
107	REGUIGUI Youcef	DIMENSION DATA	+ 01' 59''
108	HASNAOUI Maher	SKYDIVE DUBAÏ	+ 02' 00''
109	KAMBERAJ Xhuliano	SKYDIVE DUBAÏ	+ 02' 01''
110	NAPOLITANO Danilo	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	+ 02' 02''
111	PFINGSTEN Christoph	BORA-ARGON 18	s.t.
112	VAN MEIRHAEGHE Jef	TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN	+ 02' 03''
113	FRÖHLINGER Johannes	GIANT-ALPECIN	+ 02' 05''
114	CIMOLAI Davide	LAMPRE - MERIDA	s.t.
115	BRAMMEIER Matthew	DIMENSION DATA	+ 02' 07''
116	STEPNIAK Grzegorz	CCC SPRANDI POLKOWICE	s.t.
117	LOOIJ André	ROOMPOT ORANJE PELOTON	s.t.
118	MCNALLY Mark	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	+ 02' 08''
119	CAPIOT Amaury	TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN	+ 02' 08''
120	KUMP Marko	LAMPRE - MERIDA	+ 02' 12''
121	JI Cheng	GIANT-ALPECIN	+ 02' 15''
122	REIHS Michael	STÖLTING SERVICE GROUP	+ 02' 16''
123	MAGER Christian	STÖLTING SERVICE GROUP	+ 02' 20''
124	KEOUGH Luke	UNITEDHEALTHCARE	+ 02' 24''
125	FARRAR Tyler	DIMENSION DATA	+ 02' 26''
126	PONZI Simone	CCC SPRANDI POLKOWICE	+ 02' 30''
127	DE HAES Kenny	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	+ 02' 32''
128	SULZBERGER Bernard	DRAPAC CYCLING	s.t.
129	HUTAROVICH Yauheni	FORTUNEO-VITAL CONCEPT	+ 02' 33''
130	ARCHBOLD Shane	BORA-ARGON 18	+ 02' 35''
131	SLIK Ivar	ROOMPOT ORANJE PELOTON	+ 02' 42''
132	HONKISZ Adrian	CCC SPRANDI POLKOWICE	+ 03' 01''

GC after stage 3:

322 kilometers raced so far at an average speed of 46.714 km/hr

1	BOASSON HAGEN Edvald	DIMENSION DATA	6hr 53min 35sec
2	CAVENDISH Mark	DIMENSION DATA	@ 26sec
3	QUINZIATO Manuel	BMC	+ 00' 32''
4	VAN AVERMAET Greg	BMC	+ 00' 34''
5	KRISTOFF Alexander	KATUSHA	+ 00' 45''
6	ANDERSEN Søren Kragh	GIANT-ALPECIN	+ 00' 48''
7	BYSTRÖM Sven Erik	KATUSHA	@ 1min 2sec
8	BENNETT Sam	BORA-ARGON 18	+ 01' 07''
9	KUZNETSOV Viacheslav	KATUSHA	+ 01' 10''
10	SCHÄR Michael	BMC	+ 01' 15''
11	MODOLO Sacha	LAMPRE - MERIDA	+ 01' 18''
12	DEMPSTER Zakkari	BORA-ARGON 18	+ 01' 21''
13	GERARD Arnaud	FORTUNEO-VITAL CONCEPT	+ 01' 24''
14	MORKOV Michael	KATUSHA	+ 01' 32''
15	SELIG Rüdiger	BORA-ARGON 18	+ 01' 37''
16	GUARDINI Andrea	ASTANA	+ 01' 47''
17	VAN EMDEN Jos	LOTTO NL-JUMBO	+ 02' 11''
18	GRUZDEV Dmitriy	ASTANA	+ 02' 26''
19	OSS Daniel	BMC	+ 02' 33''
20	POLITT Nils	KATUSHA	+ 02' 37''
21	WYNANTS Maarten	LOTTO NL-JUMBO	+ 02' 50''
22	THWAITES Scott	BORA-ARGON 18	+ 02' 57''
23	HOFLAND Moreno	LOTTO NL-JUMBO	+ 02' 59''
24	EATON Daniel	UNITEDHEALTHCARE	+ 03' 05''
25	THOMSON Jay Robert	DIMENSION DATA	+ 03' 06''
26	VAN HECKE Preben	TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN	+ 03' 10''
27	VAN SUMMEREN Johan	AG2R-LA MONDIALE	+ 03' 12''
28	GUARNIERI Jacopo	KATUSHA	+ 03' 15''
29	ANTONINI Simone	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	s.t.
30	KOZONTCHUK Dmitry	KATUSHA	+ 03' 17''
31	KUREK Adrian	CCC SPRANDI POLKOWICE	+ 03' 19''
32	HADDI Soufiane	SKYDIVE DUBAÏ	+ 03' 21''
33	VANSPEYBROUCK Pieter	TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN	+ 03' 23''
34	PERICHON Pierre-Luc	FORTUNEO-VITAL CONCEPT	s.t.
35	TURGOT Sébastien	AG2R-LA MONDIALE	+ 03' 26''
36	JONES Christopher	UNITEDHEALTHCARE	+ 03' 27''
37	STEELS Stijn	TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN	+ 03' 28''
38	DEBESAY Mekseb	DIMENSION DATA	+ 03' 29''
39	STAMSNIJDER Tom	GIANT-ALPECIN	+ 03' 32''
40	RENSHAW Mark	DIMENSION DATA	+ 03' 35''
41	PALINI Andrea	SKYDIVE DUBAÏ	+ 03' 40''
42	TRONET Steven	FORTUNEO-VITAL CONCEPT	+ 03' 43''
43	TLEUBAYEV Ruslan	ASTANA	+ 03' 44''
44	KAMBERAJ Xhuliano	SKYDIVE DUBAÏ	+ 03' 47''
45	BRAMMEIER Matthew	DIMENSION DATA	+ 03' 53''
46	MCNALLY Mark	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	+ 03' 54''
47	KUMP Marko	LAMPRE - MERIDA	+ 03' 58''
48	DRUCKER Jean-Pierre	BMC	+ 04' 01''
49	REIHS Michael	STÖLTING SERVICE GROUP	+ 04' 02''
50	MARCATO Marco	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	+ 04' 49''
51	ALZATE Carlos	UNITEDHEALTHCARE	+ 06' 10''
52	FARRAR Tyler	DIMENSION DATA	+ 06' 11''
53	PÖSTLBERGER Lukas	BORA-ARGON 18	+ 08' 01''
54	BOOM Lars	ASTANA	+ 08' 46''
55	TEUNISSEN Mike	LOTTO NL-JUMBO	+ 08' 55''
56	SMUKULIS Gatis	ASTANA	+ 09' 02''
57	GRETSCH Patrick	AG2R-LA MONDIALE	+ 09' 15''
58	DECLERCQ Tim	TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN	+ 09' 20''
59	MARYCZ Jaroslaw	CCC SPRANDI POLKOWICE	+ 09' 27''
60	JANS Roy	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	+ 09' 34''
61	ROOSEN Timo	LOTTO NL-JUMBO	+ 09' 38''
62	WESTRA Lieuwe	ASTANA	+ 09' 45''
63	KIENDYS Tomasz	CCC SPRANDI POLKOWICE	+ 09' 47''
64	WEGMANN Fabian	STÖLTING SERVICE GROUP	+ 09' 49''
65	VAN MEIRHAEGHE Jef	TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN	+ 09' 58''
66	WAEYTENS ZICO	GIANT-ALPECIN	+ 10' 48''
67	HONKISZ Adrian	CCC SPRANDI POLKOWICE	+ 10' 56''
68	VALLEE Boris	FORTUNEO-VITAL CONCEPT	+ 11' 02''
69	VAN ROOY Kenneth	TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN	+ 12' 21''
70	HOULE Hugo	AG2R-LA MONDIALE	+ 12' 53''
71	ZABEL Rick	BMC	+ 12' 56''
72	GAUDIN Damien	AG2R-LA MONDIALE	+ 13' 00''
73	ROSSKOPF Joseph	BMC	+ 13' 01''
74	PEDERSEN Mads	STÖLTING SERVICE GROUP	s.t.
75	DE VRIES Berden	ROOMPOT ORANJE PELOTON	+ 13' 02''
76	BREEN Vegard	FORTUNEO-VITAL CONCEPT	+ 13' 08''
77	KIRSCH Alex	STÖLTING SERVICE GROUP	+ 13' 13''
78	VAN GOETHEM Brian	ROOMPOT ORANJE PELOTON	+ 13' 17''
79	JONES Brenton	DRAPAC CYCLING	+ 13' 18''
80	ZAKHAROV Artyom	ASTANA	+ 13' 24''
81	PIBERNIK Luka	LAMPRE - MERIDA	+ 13' 24''
82	LOWNDES Jason	DRAPAC CYCLING	+ 13' 28''
83	JARRIER Benoit	FORTUNEO-VITAL CONCEPT	+ 13' 29''
84	WAGNER Robert	LOTTO NL-JUMBO	+ 13' 30''
85	CANOLA Marco	UNITEDHEALTHCARE	+ 13' 31''
86	CASTELIJNS Twan	LOTTO NL-JUMBO	s.t.
87	HALLER Marco	KATUSHA	+ 13' 33''
88	VAN ASBROECK Tom	LOTTO NL-JUMBO	+ 13' 35''
89	SANTAROMITA Ivan	SKYDIVE DUBAÏ	+ 13' 35''
90	KERKHOF Tim	ROOMPOT ORANJE PELOTON	+ 13' 42''
91	JELLOUL Adil	SKYDIVE DUBAÏ	+ 13' 44''
92	DE TIER Floris	TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN	+ 13' 45''
93	KOEP Thomas	STÖLTING SERVICE GROUP	s.t.
94	SVENDGAARD Michael	STÖLTING SERVICE GROUP	+ 13' 47''
95	KREDER Wesley	ROOMPOT ORANJE PELOTON	+ 13' 48''
96	ARASHIRO Yukiya	LAMPRE - MERIDA	s.t.
97	MINARD Sébastien	AG2R-LA MONDIALE	+ 13' 49''
98	ASSELMAN Jesper	ROOMPOT ORANJE PELOTON	s.t.
99	REBELLIN Davide	CCC SPRANDI POLKOWICE	+ 13' 51''
100	BROWN Graeme	DRAPAC CYCLING	+ 13' 53''
101	REGUIGUI Youcef	DIMENSION DATA	+ 13' 55''
102	HASNAOUI Maher	SKYDIVE DUBAÏ	+ 13' 56''
103	NAPOLITANO Danilo	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	+ 13' 58''
104	FRÖHLINGER Johannes	GIANT-ALPECIN	+ 14' 01''
105	CIMOLAI Davide	LAMPRE - MERIDA	s.t.
106	STEPNIAK Grzegorz	CCC SPRANDI POLKOWICE	+ 14' 03''
107	LOOIJ André	ROOMPOT ORANJE PELOTON	s.t.
108	JI Cheng	GIANT-ALPECIN	+ 14' 11''
109	PONZI Simone	CCC SPRANDI POLKOWICE	+ 14' 26''
110	ARCHBOLD Shane	BORA-ARGON 18	+ 14' 31''
111	SLIK Ivar	ROOMPOT ORANJE PELOTON	+ 14' 38''
112	BUSCHE Matthew	UNITEDHEALTHCARE	+ 14' 55''
113	THURAU Bjorn	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	+ 14' 58''
114	COSTA Mario	LAMPRE - MERIDA	+ 15' 10''
115	CAPIOT Amaury	TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN	+ 15' 32''
116	SCHILLINGER Andreas	BORA-ARGON 18	+ 15' 58''
117	SULZBERGER Bernard	DRAPAC CYCLING	+ 16' 04''
118	PFINGSTEN Christoph	BORA-ARGON 18	+ 16' 18''
119	DE HAES Kenny	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	+ 19' 16''
120	SERGENT Jesse	AG2R-LA MONDIALE	+ 20' 16''
121	KONING Peter	DRAPAC CYCLING	+ 20' 49''
122	ZURLO Federico	LAMPRE - MERIDA	+ 20' 58''
123	MC LAY DANIEL	FORTUNEO-VITAL CONCEPT	+ 21' 11''
124	WHITE Bradley	UNITEDHEALTHCARE	+ 21' 18''
125	STENUIT Robin	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	+ 21' 20''
126	MENZIES Karl	UNITEDHEALTHCARE	+ 21' 28''
127	KERBY Jordan	DRAPAC CYCLING	+ 21' 36''
128	HUTAROVICH Yauheni	FORTUNEO-VITAL CONCEPT	+ 21' 51''
129	KEOUGH Luke	UNITEDHEALTHCARE	+ 21' 54''
130	MAGER Christian	STÖLTING SERVICE GROUP	+ 22' 31''
131	SPOKES Samuel	DRAPAC CYCLING	s.t.
132	BAGDONAS Gediminas	AG2R-LA MONDIALE	+ 28' 13''

---

Tuesday, February 9: Stage 2, Qatar University - Qatar University, 135 km

Video of finish |

Alexander Kristoff (red kit) wins Qatar stage 2 in a photo finish sprint with Mark Cavandish

The race: Here's the organizer's explanation of the day's stage.

After conquering stage 1 and the golden jersey yesterday, there wasn't much Mark Cavendish could do against Alexander Kristoff on day 2 of the Tour of Qatar. In a final bunched sprint by the Qatar University, the Norwegian powered to the line, beating his main rival by just a few inches and capturing his fourth stage success in Qatar. The day had been intense for Cavendish not present in the group of favourites that had taken off in the early stages of the race. And after things had settled, once on the circuit of the next World Championships, and the pack bunched up, the Brit had to be content with second spot on the day. Before the all-important time-trial, he keeps his GC leader's Golden jersey.

On the occasion of the Qatar National Sport Day, stage 2 of the Tour of Qatar would indeed be an intense one. The reason: a very strong wind blowing from the north-east of the peninsula. On this second day of the event, the riders would also have the opportunity to discover the final circuit of the next road World Championships in october. And on such an occasion, it was only natural to see UCI president Brian Cookson launch the 136 riders for their 145.5-km effort.

Facing the wind, the first part of the stage was rather slow, unlike yesterday's extremely fast day that saw Mark Cavendish conquer his 9th win in Qatar. After only two kilometres, four men managed to break away from the pack: Lieuwe Westra (AST), Preben Van Hecke (TSV), Gediminas Bagdonas (ALM) and Brian van Goethem (ROP). The gap rapidly grew and reached 1'30 at km 25.

But after a change in direction, heading back south, the pace dramatically changed and the pack broke up into several groups. While the front four were caught at km 35, just over 20 men powered away at the front.  Among the group were the likes of Kristoff (KAT), Boasson Hagen (DDD), Bennett (BOA), Guardini (AST) and Hofland (TLJ). At the first intermediate sprint (km 39) claimed by Kristoff ahead of Boasson Hagen and Kuznetsov (KAT), the chasing bunch including Cavendish and Modolo (LAM) were 14'' adrift. That gap grew to 50'' as the leaders entered the Pearl World Championship circuit (km 79).

Eventually the golden jersey group managed to catch up with the front group and the pack bunched up at km 84. That was the moment chosen by two men to take off : Preben Van Hecke, again, and Gatis Smukulis (AST). The second bonus sprint set on the finish line of the next ‘Worlds' was won by Van Hecke ahead of Smukulis while the peloton led by Boasson Hagen, third, remained 43'' adrift. The front duo's advantage reached a maximum 1' lead at km 110 before teams Dimension Data, BMC and Katusha started chasing them down. They were eventually caught at km 125.

After exiting the Pearl circuit, the pack remained bunched all the way to the final straight by the Qatar University. On the slightly uphill sprint, several riders, including Guardini (AST), Brown (DPC) and best young rider Andersen (TGA) suffered a crash. That didn't prevent the big guns to battle it out for victory. Well led out by his Katusha boys, Alexander Kristoff only just managed to capture the win, beating Cavendish to the line by just a few inches, while Roy Jans (WGG) finished third. The Norwegian captured his 4th stage success in Qatar after triumphing three times last year.

In the new general classification, Mark Cavendish keeps his golden jersey but now only has a 5'' lead over Kristoff and 14'' over Modolo. The Brit also keeps command of the points classification (silver jersey) while Sven Erik Bystrøm (KAT) becomes the best young rider of the event (white pearl jersey)

Complete Results:

135 kilometers raced at an average speed of 42.312 km/hr

1	KRISTOFF Alexander	KATUSHA	3hr 11min 26sec
2	CAVENDISH Mark	DIMENSION DATA	s.t.
3	JANS Roy	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	s.t.
4	VAN AVERMAET Greg	BMC	s.t.
5	BOASSON HAGEN Edvald	DIMENSION DATA	s.t.
6	PALINI Andrea	SKYDIVE DUBAÏ	s.t.
7	MODOLO Sacha	LAMPRE-MERIDA	s.t.
8	LOOIJ André	ROOMPOT ORANJE PELOTON	s.t.
9	KIENDYS Tomasz	CCC SPRANDI POLKOWICE	s.t.
10	KUZNETSOV Viacheslav	KATUSHA	s.t.
11	MARYCZ Jaroslaw	CCC SPRANDI POLKOWICE	s.t.
12	TLEUBAYEV Ruslan	ASTANA PRO TEAM	s.t.
13	GERARD Arnaud	FORTUNEO-VITAL CONCEPT	s.t.
14	BYSTRÖM Sven Erik	KATUSHA	s.t.
15	KIRSCH Alex	STÖLTING SERVICE GROUP	s.t.
16	KUREK Adrian	CCC SPRANDI POLKOWICE	s.t.
17	TRONET Steven	FORTUNEO-VITAL CONCEPT	s.t.
18	VAN ROOY Kenneth	TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN	s.t.
19	ANTONINI Simone	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	s.t.
20	PIBERNIK Luka	LAMPRE-MERIDA	s.t.
21	SERGENT Jesse	AG2R LA MONDIALE	s.t.
22	QUINZIATO Manuel	BMC	s.t.
23	HADDI Soufiane	SKYDIVE DUBAÏ	s.t.
24	GRETSCH Patrick	AG2R LA MONDIALE	s.t.
25	GUARNIERI Jacopo	KATUSHA	s.t.
26	VAN MEIRHAEGHE Jef	TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN	s.t.
27	VANSPEYBROUCK Pieter	TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN	s.t.
28	SMUKULIS Gatis	ASTANA PRO TEAM	s.t.
29	DEBESAY Mekseb	DIMENSION DATA	s.t.
30	ZURLO Federico	LAMPRE-MERIDA	s.t.
31	REIHS Michael	STÖLTING SERVICE GROUP	s.t.
32	KAMBERAJ Xhuliano	SKYDIVE DUBAÏ	s.t.
33	SVENDGAARD Michael	STÖLTING SERVICE GROUP	s.t.
34	THOMSON Jay Robert	DIMENSION DATA	s.t.
35	GRUZDEV Dmitriy	ASTANA PRO TEAM	s.t.
36	WEGMANN Fabian	STÖLTING SERVICE GROUP	s.t.
37	HONKISZ Adrian	CCC SPRANDI POLKOWICE	s.t.
38	DECLERCQ Tim	TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN	s.t.
39	HOFLAND Moreno	LOTTO NL-JUMBO	s.t.
40	KUMP Marko	LAMPRE-MERIDA	s.t.
41	MINARD Sébastien	AG2R LA MONDIALE	s.t.
42	TURGOT Sébastien	AG2R LA MONDIALE	s.t.
43	ASSELMAN Jesper	ROOMPOT ORANJE PELOTON	s.t.
44	ROOSEN Timo	LOTTO NL-JUMBO	s.t.
45	BRAMMEIER Matthew	DIMENSION DATA	s.t.
46	MORKOV Michael	KATUSHA	s.t.
47	THWAITES Scott	BORA-ARGON 18	s.t.
48	VAN ASBROECK Tom	LOTTO NL-JUMBO	s.t.
49	VAN HECKE Preben	TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN	s.t.
50	STEELS Stijn	TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN	s.t.
51	REGUIGUI Youcef	DIMENSION DATA	s.t.
52	WYNANTS Maarten	LOTTO NL-JUMBO	s.t.
53	ROSSKOPF Joseph	BMC	s.t.
54	ARCHBOLD Shane	BORA-ARGON 18	s.t.
55	ZAKHAROV Artyom	ASTANA PRO TEAM	s.t.
56	JELLOUL Adil	SKYDIVE DUBAÏ	s.t.
57	SELIG Rüdiger	BORA-ARGON 18	s.t.
58	KREDER Wesley	ROOMPOT ORANJE PELOTON	s.t.
59	STAMSNIJDER Tom	TEAM GIANT-ALPECIN	s.t.
60	VAN GOETHEM Brian	ROOMPOT ORANJE PELOTON	s.t.
61	OSS Daniel	BMC	s.t.
62	STEPNIAK Grzegorz	CCC SPRANDI POLKOWICE	s.t.
63	SCHÄR Michael	BMC	s.t.
64	ZABEL Rick	BMC	s.t.
65	KERKHOF Tim	ROOMPOT ORANJE PELOTON	s.t.
66	MCNALLY Mark	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	s.t.
67	PERICHON Pierre-Luc	FORTUNEO-VITAL CONCEPT	s.t.
68	GAUDIN Damien	AG2R LA MONDIALE	s.t.
69	HASNAOUI Maher	SKYDIVE DUBAÏ	s.t.
70	SLIK Ivar	ROOMPOT ORANJE PELOTON	s.t.
71	DE VRIES Berden	ROOMPOT ORANJE PELOTON	s.t.
72	BOOM Lars	ASTANA PRO TEAM	s.t.
73	POLITT Nils	KATUSHA	s.t.
74	KOZONTCHUK Dmitry	KATUSHA	s.t.
75	DE TIER Floris	TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN	s.t.
76	JARRIER Benoit	FORTUNEO-VITAL CONCEPT	s.t.
77	PEDERSEN Mads	STÖLTING SERVICE GROUP	s.t.
78	EATON Daniel	UNITEDHEALTHCARE	s.t.
79	JONES Christopher	UNITEDHEALTHCARE	s.t.
80	VAN SUMMEREN Johan	AG2R LA MONDIALE	s.t.
81	KOEP Thomas	STÖLTING SERVICE GROUP	s.t.
82	CANOLA Marco	UNITEDHEALTHCARE	s.t.
83	DEMPSTER Zakkari	BORA-ARGON 18	s.t.
84	PONZI Simone	CCC SPRANDI POLKOWICE	s.t.
85	SANTAROMITA Ivan	SKYDIVE DUBAÏ	s.t.
86	REBELLIN Davide	CCC SPRANDI POLKOWICE	s.t.
87	CASTELIJNS Twan	LOTTO NL-JUMBO	s.t.
88	RENSHAW Mark	DIMENSION DATA	s.t.
89	HOULE Hugo	AG2R LA MONDIALE	s.t.
90	NAPOLITANO Danilo	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	s.t.
91	BREEN Vegard	FORTUNEO-VITAL CONCEPT	s.t.
92	VAN EMDEN Jos	LOTTO NL-JUMBO	s.t.
93	TEUNISSEN Mike	LOTTO NL-JUMBO	s.t.
94	WAGNER Robert	LOTTO NL-JUMBO	s.t.
95	FRÖHLINGER Johannes	TEAM GIANT-ALPECIN	s.t.
96	JI Cheng	TEAM GIANT-ALPECIN	s.t.
97	WESTRA Lieuwe	ASTANA PRO TEAM	@ 1min 7sec
98	DRUCKER Jean-Pierre	BMC	+ 01' 12''
99	BUSCHE Matthew	UNITEDHEALTHCARE	+ 01' 14''
100	LOWNDES Jason	DRAPAC CYCLING	s.t.
101	HALLER Marco	KATUSHA	s.t.
102	THURAU Bjorn	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	+ 01' 19''
103	COSTA Mario	LAMPRE-MERIDA	+ 01' 26''
104	ARASHIRO Yukiya	LAMPRE-MERIDA	s.t.
105	CIMOLAI Davide	LAMPRE-MERIDA	s.t.
106	CAPIOT Amaury	TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN	+ 01' 28''
107	KERBY Jordan	DRAPAC CYCLING	+ 01' 34''
108	SULZBERGER Bernard	DRAPAC CYCLING	+ 01' 36''
109	SPOKES Samuel	DRAPAC CYCLING	s.t.
110	MARCATO Marco	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	s.t.
111	VALLEE Boris	FORTUNEO-VITAL CONCEPT	s.t.
112	FARRAR Tyler	DIMENSION DATA	+ 01' 59''
113	GUARDINI Andrea	ASTANA PRO TEAM	s.t.
114	BENNETT Sam	BORA-ARGON 18	s.t.
115	SCHILLINGER Andreas	BORA-ARGON 18	+ 02' 20''
116	PFINGSTEN Christoph	BORA-ARGON 18	s.t.
117	ANDERSEN Søren Kragh	TEAM GIANT-ALPECIN	s.t.
118	WAEYTENS ZICO	TEAM GIANT-ALPECIN	s.t.
119	MC LAY DANIEL	FORTUNEO-VITAL CONCEPT	s.t.
120	ALZATE Carlos	UNITEDHEALTHCARE	+ 02' 37''
121	HUTAROVICH Yauheni	FORTUNEO-VITAL CONCEPT	s.t.
122	JONES Brenton	DRAPAC CYCLING	s.t.
123	BROWN Graeme	DRAPAC CYCLING	s.t.
124	PÖSTLBERGER Lukas	BORA-ARGON 18	+ 04' 48''
125	DE HAES Kenny	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	s.t.
126	KEOUGH Luke	UNITEDHEALTHCARE	+ 07' 34''
127	MENZIES Karl	UNITEDHEALTHCARE	s.t.
128	WHITE Bradley	UNITEDHEALTHCARE	s.t.
129	BAGDONAS Gediminas	AG2R LA MONDIALE	s.t.
130	KONING Peter	DRAPAC CYCLING	s.t.
131	STENUIT Robin	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	s.t.
132	MAGER Christian	STÖLTING SERVICE GROUP	s.t.
133	MARKUS Barry	ROOMPOT ORANJE PELOTON	s.t.

GC after Stage 2:

311 kilometers raced so far at an average speed of 46.668 km/hr

1	CAVENDISH Mark	DIMENSION DATA	6hr 39min 51sec
2	KRISTOFF Alexander	KATUSHA	@ 5sec
3	MODOLO Sacha	LAMPRE-MERIDA	+ 00' 14''
4	GUARDINI Andrea	ASTANA PRO TEAM	+ 00' 17''
5	BOASSON HAGEN Edvald	DIMENSION DATA	+ 00' 18''
6	KUZNETSOV Viacheslav	KATUSHA	s.t.
7	VAN AVERMAET Greg	BMC	+ 00' 20''
8	GERARD Arnaud	FORTUNEO-VITAL CONCEPT	+ 00' 21''
9	BYSTRÖM Sven Erik	KATUSHA	s.t.
10	QUINZIATO Manuel	BMC	s.t.
11	SCHÄR Michael	BMC	s.t.
12	DEMPSTER Zakkari	BORA-ARGON 18	s.t.
13	BENNETT Sam	BORA-ARGON 18	s.t.
14	ANDERSEN Søren Kragh	TEAM GIANT-ALPECIN	s.t.
15	SELIG Rüdiger	BORA-ARGON 18	+ 00' 26''
16	MORKOV Michael	KATUSHA	+ 00' 39''
17	VAN HECKE Preben	TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN	@ 2min 1sec
18	PALINI Andrea	SKYDIVE DUBAÏ	+ 02' 04''
19	TLEUBAYEV Ruslan	ASTANA PRO TEAM	s.t.
20	KUREK Adrian	CCC SPRANDI POLKOWICE	s.t.
21	HADDI Soufiane	SKYDIVE DUBAÏ	s.t.
22	DEBESAY Mekseb	DIMENSION DATA	s.t.
23	VANSPEYBROUCK Pieter	TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN	s.t.
24	HOFLAND Moreno	LOTTO NL-JUMBO	s.t.
25	KUMP Marko	LAMPRE-MERIDA	s.t.
26	ANTONINI Simone	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	s.t.
27	REIHS Michael	STÖLTING SERVICE GROUP	s.t.
28	GRUZDEV Dmitriy	ASTANA PRO TEAM	s.t.
29	GUARNIERI Jacopo	KATUSHA	s.t.
30	TRONET Steven	FORTUNEO-VITAL CONCEPT	s.t.
31	KAMBERAJ Xhuliano	SKYDIVE DUBAÏ	s.t.
32	THOMSON Jay Robert	DIMENSION DATA	s.t.
33	STEELS Stijn	TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN	s.t.
34	TURGOT Sébastien	AG2R LA MONDIALE	s.t.
35	THWAITES Scott	BORA-ARGON 18	s.t.
36	WYNANTS Maarten	LOTTO NL-JUMBO	s.t.
37	BRAMMEIER Matthew	DIMENSION DATA	s.t.
38	MCNALLY Mark	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	s.t.
39	OSS Daniel	BMC	s.t.
40	STAMSNIJDER Tom	TEAM GIANT-ALPECIN	s.t.
41	JONES Christopher	UNITEDHEALTHCARE	s.t.
42	PERICHON Pierre-Luc	FORTUNEO-VITAL CONCEPT	s.t.
43	VAN EMDEN Jos	LOTTO NL-JUMBO	s.t.
44	POLITT Nils	KATUSHA	s.t.
45	EATON Daniel	UNITEDHEALTHCARE	s.t.
46	KOZONTCHUK Dmitry	KATUSHA	s.t.
47	VAN SUMMEREN Johan	AG2R LA MONDIALE	s.t.
48	RENSHAW Mark	DIMENSION DATA	s.t.
49	DRUCKER Jean-Pierre	BMC	+ 03' 16''
50	MARCATO Marco	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	+ 03' 40''
51	FARRAR Tyler	DIMENSION DATA	+ 04' 03''
52	ALZATE Carlos	UNITEDHEALTHCARE	+ 04' 41''
53	PÖSTLBERGER Lukas	BORA-ARGON 18	+ 07' 15''
54	JANS Roy	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	+ 08' 09''
55	SMUKULIS Gatis	ASTANA PRO TEAM	+ 08' 11''
56	KIENDYS Tomasz	CCC SPRANDI POLKOWICE	+ 08' 13''
57	MARYCZ Jaroslaw	CCC SPRANDI POLKOWICE	s.t.
58	GRETSCH Patrick	AG2R LA MONDIALE	s.t.
59	VAN MEIRHAEGHE Jef	TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN	s.t.
60	DECLERCQ Tim	TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN	s.t.
61	HONKISZ Adrian	CCC SPRANDI POLKOWICE	s.t.
62	WEGMANN Fabian	STÖLTING SERVICE GROUP	s.t.
63	ROOSEN Timo	LOTTO NL-JUMBO	s.t.
64	BOOM Lars	ASTANA PRO TEAM	s.t.
65	TEUNISSEN Mike	LOTTO NL-JUMBO	s.t.
66	WESTRA Lieuwe	ASTANA PRO TEAM	+ 09' 20''
67	WAEYTENS ZICO	TEAM GIANT-ALPECIN	+ 09' 39''
68	VALLEE Boris	FORTUNEO-VITAL CONCEPT	+ 09' 49''
69	VAN ROOY Kenneth	TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN	+ 10' 49''
70	LOOIJ André	ROOMPOT ORANJE PELOTON	+ 12' 14''
71	SVENDGAARD Michael	STÖLTING SERVICE GROUP	s.t.
72	PIBERNIK Luka	LAMPRE-MERIDA	s.t.
73	JELLOUL Adil	SKYDIVE DUBAÏ	s.t.
74	ZAKHAROV Artyom	ASTANA PRO TEAM	s.t.
75	KIRSCH Alex	STÖLTING SERVICE GROUP	s.t.
76	VAN ASBROECK Tom	LOTTO NL-JUMBO	s.t.
77	KERKHOF Tim	ROOMPOT ORANJE PELOTON	s.t.
78	VAN GOETHEM Brian	ROOMPOT ORANJE PELOTON	s.t.
79	ZABEL Rick	BMC	s.t.
80	ASSELMAN Jesper	ROOMPOT ORANJE PELOTON	s.t.
81	ROSSKOPF Joseph	BMC	s.t.
82	KREDER Wesley	ROOMPOT ORANJE PELOTON	s.t.
83	DE VRIES Berden	ROOMPOT ORANJE PELOTON	s.t.
84	ARCHBOLD Shane	BORA-ARGON 18	s.t.
85	DE TIER Floris	TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN	s.t.
86	SLIK Ivar	ROOMPOT ORANJE PELOTON	s.t.
87	MINARD Sébastien	AG2R LA MONDIALE	s.t.
88	STEPNIAK Grzegorz	CCC SPRANDI POLKOWICE	s.t.
89	HASNAOUI Maher	SKYDIVE DUBAÏ	s.t.
90	REGUIGUI Youcef	DIMENSION DATA	s.t.
91	NAPOLITANO Danilo	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	s.t.
92	JI Cheng	TEAM GIANT-ALPECIN	s.t.
93	BREEN Vegard	FORTUNEO-VITAL CONCEPT	s.t.
94	FRÖHLINGER Johannes	TEAM GIANT-ALPECIN	s.t.
95	KOEP Thomas	STÖLTING SERVICE GROUP	s.t.
96	JARRIER Benoit	FORTUNEO-VITAL CONCEPT	s.t.
97	SANTAROMITA Ivan	SKYDIVE DUBAÏ	s.t.
98	WAGNER Robert	LOTTO NL-JUMBO	s.t.
99	GAUDIN Damien	AG2R LA MONDIALE	s.t.
100	CASTELIJNS Twan	LOTTO NL-JUMBO	s.t.
101	CANOLA Marco	UNITEDHEALTHCARE	s.t.
102	HOULE Hugo	AG2R LA MONDIALE	s.t.
103	PONZI Simone	CCC SPRANDI POLKOWICE	s.t.
104	REBELLIN Davide	CCC SPRANDI POLKOWICE	s.t.
105	PEDERSEN Mads	STÖLTING SERVICE GROUP	s.t.
106	JONES Brenton	DRAPAC CYCLING	s.t.
107	BROWN Graeme	DRAPAC CYCLING	s.t.
108	ARASHIRO Yukiya	LAMPRE-MERIDA	s.t.
109	CIMOLAI Davide	LAMPRE-MERIDA	s.t.
110	LOWNDES Jason	DRAPAC CYCLING	s.t.
111	MARKUS Barry	ROOMPOT ORANJE PELOTON	s.t.
112	HALLER Marco	KATUSHA	s.t.
113	BUSCHE Matthew	UNITEDHEALTHCARE	+ 13' 28''
114	THURAU Bjorn	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	+ 13' 33''
115	COSTA Mario	LAMPRE-MERIDA	+ 13' 40''
116	CAPIOT Amaury	TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN	+ 13' 42''
117	SULZBERGER Bernard	DRAPAC CYCLING	+ 13' 50''
118	SCHILLINGER Andreas	BORA-ARGON 18	+ 14' 34''
119	PFINGSTEN Christoph	BORA-ARGON 18	s.t.
120	DE HAES Kenny	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	+ 17' 02''
121	SERGENT Jesse	AG2R LA MONDIALE	+ 19' 36''
122	ZURLO Federico	LAMPRE-MERIDA	+ 19' 36''
123	MC LAY DANIEL	FORTUNEO-VITAL CONCEPT	s.t.
124	HUTAROVICH Yauheni	FORTUNEO-VITAL CONCEPT	s.t.
125	STENUIT Robin	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	+ 19' 48''
126	KEOUGH Luke	UNITEDHEALTHCARE	s.t.
127	WHITE Bradley	UNITEDHEALTHCARE	s.t.
128	MENZIES Karl	UNITEDHEALTHCARE	s.t.
129	KONING Peter	DRAPAC CYCLING	s.t.
130	MAGER Christian	STÖLTING SERVICE GROUP	+ 20' 29''
131	KERBY Jordan	DRAPAC CYCLING	+ 21' 10''
132	SPOKES Samuel	DRAPAC CYCLING	+ 21' 12''
133	BAGDONAS Gediminas	AG2R LA MONDIALE	+ 27' 10''

Video of stage 2 finish:

---

Monday, February 8: Stage 1, Dukhan - Al Khor Corniche, 176 km

Mark Cavendish wins Qatar stage 1

The race: Here is the organizer's telling of the stage events.

The 15th edition of the Tour of Qatar started in style and full speed ahead. At an average speed of close to 52km/h, Mark Cavendish flew to an impressive stage success for his return on the race after his last triumph in 2013. The Brit captured his first win under his new Dimension Data colours, earning his 9th victory in Qatar. After being among a 21-man group taking off early, 'Cav' was the fastest of the sprint on the Al Khor Corniche, beating Modolo

For the first stage of the 2016 Tour of Qatar, the riders are gathered on the eastern coast of Qatar, in the city of Dukhan for the start of the race. Under a bright sunshine and in rather windy conditions, 140 competitors took off for a 180.5-km ride all the way to Al Khor on the north-western coast.

After an extremely fast start due to the favourable wind, the first real action started at km 38 when the pack broke up into two main groups. Twelve kilometres later, again the front group of around 100 men parted leaving only 21 riders at the front. Among the leading group were the likes of Kristoff (KAT), Cavendish, Boasson Hagen (DDD), Andersen (TGA), Van Avermaet (BMC), Bennett (BOA), Gerard (FVC), Guardini (AST) and Modolo (LAM). Their lead grew from 35'' at km 57 to 50'' at km 81.

The first intermediate sprint (km 106.5) was claimed by Kristoff ahead of Cavendish and Modolo while the first chasing group remained 1'05'' adrift.  And the gap remained the same all the way to the second bonus sprint, claimed by Cavendish in front of Kuznetsov (KAT) and Van Avermaet, and beyond. Indeed with 20kms to go, the front men could still enjoy a 1'10'' lead. Eventually a group of 16 men reached the final 3 kms with a 1'30 advantage and could start considering stage victory.

Taking off from far out and making the best of the tailwind on the Al Khor Corniche, Mark Cavendish stayed clear of his rivals, victoriously crossing the finish line ahead of Sacha Modolo and Andrea Guardini. The Brit conquers his 9th stage in Qatar and triumphs for the third time in Al Khor after 2012 and 2013.

Thanks to his success, the 2011 road World Champion captures the overall leader's golden jersey that he last wore when he won the event back in 2013. Cavendish also leads the points classification while Soren Andersen (TGA) captures the white pearl jersey for the best young rider.

Complete Results:

176 kilometers raced at an average speed of 50.583 km/hr

1	CAVENDISH Mark	DIMENSION DATA	3hr 28min 46sec
2	MODOLO Sacha	LAMPRE-MERIDA	s.t.
3	GUARDINI Andrea	ASTANA	s.t.
4	BENNETT Sam	BORA-ARGON 18	s.t.
5	KRISTOFF Alexander	KATUSHA	s.t.
6	BOASSON HAGEN Edvald	DIMENSION DATA	s.t.
7	VAN AVERMAET Greg	BMC	s.t.
8	QUINZIATO Manuel	BMC	s.t.
9	GERARD Arnaud	FORTUNEO-VITAL CONCEPT	s.t.
10	ANDERSEN Søren Kragh	GIANT-ALPECIN	s.t.
11	KUZNETSOV Viacheslav	KATUSHA	s.t.
12	SCHÄR Michael	BMC	s.t.
13	DEMPSTER Zakkari	BORA-ARGON 18	s.t.
14	SELIG Rüdiger	BORA-ARGON 18	@ 5sec
15	BYSTRÖM Sven Erik	KATUSHA	s.t.
16	MORKOV Michael	KATUSHA	+ 00' 18''
17	KUMP Marko	LAMPRE-MERIDA	@ 1min 43sec
18	HOFLAND Moreno	LOTTO NL - JUMBO	s.t.
19	HADDI Soufiane	SKYDIVE DUBAÏ	s.t.
20	DEBESAY Mekseb	DIMENSION DATA	s.t.
21	STEELS Stijn	TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN	s.t.
22	ALZATE Carlos	UNITEDHEALTHCARE	s.t.
23	TLEUBAYEV Ruslan	ASTANA	s.t.
24	VANSPEYBROUCK Pieter	TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN	s.t.
25	KUREK Adrian	CCC SPRANDI POLKOWICE	s.t.
26	PALINI Andrea	SKYDIVE DUBAÏ	s.t.
27	GRUZDEV Dmitriy	ASTANA	s.t.
28	VAN EMDEN Jos	LOTTO NL - JUMBO	s.t.
29	REIHS Michael	STÖLTING SERVICE GROUP	s.t.
30	TURGOT Sébastien	AG2R LA MONDIALE	s.t.
31	THWAITES Scott	BORA-ARGON 18	s.t.
32	MCNALLY Mark	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	s.t.
33	MARCATO Marco	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	s.t.
34	DRUCKER Jean-Pierre	BMC	s.t.
35	VAN HECKE Preben	TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN	s.t.
36	THOMSON Jay Robert	DIMENSION DATA	s.t.
37	JONES Christopher	UNITEDHEALTHCARE	s.t.
38	KAMBERAJ Xhuliano	SKYDIVE DUBAÏ	s.t.
39	OSS Daniel	BMC	s.t.
40	GUARNIERI Jacopo	KATUSHA	s.t.
41	ANTONINI Simone	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	s.t.
42	RENSHAW Mark	DIMENSION DATA	s.t.
43	WYNANTS Maarten	LOTTO NL - JUMBO	s.t.
44	EATON Daniel	UNITEDHEALTHCARE	s.t.
45	STAMSNIJDER Tom	GIANT-ALPECIN	s.t.
46	FARRAR Tyler	DIMENSION DATA	s.t.
47	VAN SUMMEREN Johan	AG2R LA MONDIALE	s.t.
48	POLITT Nils	KATUSHA	s.t.
49	KOZONTCHUK Dmitry	KATUSHA	s.t.
50	PERICHON Pierre-Luc	FORTUNEO-VITAL CONCEPT	s.t.
51	BRAMMEIER Matthew	DIMENSION DATA	s.t.
52	TRONET Steven	FORTUNEO-VITAL CONCEPT	s.t.
53	PÖSTLBERGER Lukas	BORA-ARGON 18	+ 02' 06''
54	MARYCZ Jaroslaw	CCC SPRANDI POLKOWICE	+ 07' 52''
55	KIENDYS Tomasz	CCC SPRANDI POLKOWICE	s.t.
56	GRETSCH Patrick	AG2R LA MONDIALE	s.t.
57	DECLERCQ Tim	TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN	s.t.
58	WESTRA Lieuwe	ASTANA	s.t.
59	HONKISZ Adrian	CCC SPRANDI POLKOWICE	s.t.
60	JANS Roy	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	s.t.
61	TEUNISSEN Mike	LOTTO NL - JUMBO	s.t.
62	WEGMANN Fabian	STÖLTING SERVICE GROUP	s.t.
63	ROOSEN Timo	LOTTO NL - JUMBO	s.t.
64	SMUKULIS Gatis	ASTANA	s.t.
65	VALLEE Boris	FORTUNEO-VITAL CONCEPT	s.t.
66	VAN MEIRHAEGHE Jef	TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN	s.t.
67	BOOM Lars	ASTANA	s.t.
68	WAEYTENS ZICO	GIANT-ALPECIN	+ 09' 18''
69	VAN ROOY Kenneth	TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN	+ 10' 28''
70	KERKHOF Tim	ROOMPOT ORANJE PELOTON	+ 11' 53''
71	JELLOUL Adil	SKYDIVE DUBAÏ	s.t.
72	JI Cheng	GIANT-ALPECIN	s.t.
73	ZABEL Rick	BMC	s.t.
74	DE VRIES Berden	ROOMPOT ORANJE PELOTON	s.t.
75	ZAKHAROV Artyom	ASTANA	s.t.
76	VAN GOETHEM Brian	ROOMPOT ORANJE PELOTON	s.t.
77	DE TIER Floris	TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN	s.t.
78	NAPOLITANO Danilo	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	s.t.
79	BREEN Vegard	FORTUNEO-VITAL CONCEPT	s.t.
80	SVENDGAARD Michael	STÖLTING SERVICE GROUP	s.t.
81	JONES Brenton	DRAPAC CYCLING	s.t.
82	MARKUS Barry	ROOMPOT ORANJE PELOTON	s.t.
83	BROWN Graeme	DRAPAC CYCLING	s.t.
84	KREDER Wesley	ROOMPOT ORANJE PELOTON	s.t.
85	FRÖHLINGER Johannes	GIANT-ALPECIN	s.t.
86	ROSSKOPF Joseph	BMC	s.t.
87	VAN ASBROECK Tom	LOTTO NL - JUMBO	s.t.
88	CAPIOT Amaury	TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN	s.t.
89	SLIK Ivar	ROOMPOT ORANJE PELOTON	s.t.
90	SULZBERGER Bernard	DRAPAC CYCLING	s.t.
91	BUSCHE Matthew	UNITEDHEALTHCARE	s.t.
92	STENUIT Robin	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	s.t.
93	SCHILLINGER Andreas	BORA-ARGON 18	s.t.
94	WAGNER Robert	LOTTO NL - JUMBO	s.t.
95	ASSELMAN Jesper	ROOMPOT ORANJE PELOTON	s.t.
96	HASNAOUI Maher	SKYDIVE DUBAÏ	s.t.
97	PFINGSTEN Christoph	BORA-ARGON 18	s.t.
98	ARCHBOLD Shane	BORA-ARGON 18	s.t.
99	LOOIJ André	ROOMPOT ORANJE PELOTON	s.t.
100	SANTAROMITA Ivan	SKYDIVE DUBAÏ	s.t.
101	KOEP Thomas	STÖLTING SERVICE GROUP	s.t.
102	COSTA Mario	LAMPRE-MERIDA	s.t.
103	STEPNIAK Grzegorz	CCC SPRANDI POLKOWICE	s.t.
104	CASTELIJNS Twan	LOTTO NL - JUMBO	s.t.
105	ARASHIRO Yukiya	LAMPRE-MERIDA	s.t.
106	HOULE Hugo	AG2R LA MONDIALE	s.t.
107	PIBERNIK Luka	LAMPRE-MERIDA	s.t.
108	CIMOLAI Davide	LAMPRE-MERIDA	s.t.
109	JARRIER Benoit	FORTUNEO-VITAL CONCEPT	s.t.
110	THURAU Bjorn	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	s.t.
111	REBELLIN Davide	CCC SPRANDI POLKOWICE	s.t.
112	PONZI Simone	CCC SPRANDI POLKOWICE	s.t.
113	CANOLA Marco	UNITEDHEALTHCARE	s.t.
114	LOWNDES Jason	DRAPAC CYCLING	s.t.
115	REGUIGUI Youcef	DIMENSION DATA	s.t.
116	WHITE Bradley	UNITEDHEALTHCARE	s.t.
117	KEOUGH Luke	UNITEDHEALTHCARE	s.t.
118	MENZIES Karl	UNITEDHEALTHCARE	s.t.
119	KIRSCH Alex	STÖLTING SERVICE GROUP	s.t.
120	MINARD Sébastien	AG2R LA MONDIALE	s.t.
121	GAUDIN Damien	AG2R LA MONDIALE	s.t.
122	HALLER Marco	KATUSHA	s.t.
123	PEDERSEN Mads	STÖLTING SERVICE GROUP	s.t.
124	KAMP Alexander	STÖLTING SERVICE GROUP	s.t.
125	KONING Peter	DRAPAC CYCLING	s.t.
126	DE HAES Kenny	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	s.t.
127	MAGER Christian	STÖLTING SERVICE GROUP	+ 12' 34''
128	HUTAROVICH Yauheni	FORTUNEO-VITAL CONCEPT	+ 19' 15''
129	BAGDONAS Gediminas	AG2R LA MONDIALE	s.t.
130	MC LAY DANIEL	FORTUNEO-VITAL CONCEPT	s.t.
131	SERGENT Jesse	AG2R LA MONDIALE	s.t.
132	ZURLO Federico	LAMPRE-MERIDA	s.t.
133	KERBY Jordan	DRAPAC CYCLING	s.t.
134	SPOKES Samuel	DRAPAC CYCLING	s.t.
135	ALHAMMADI Sultan	SKYDIVE DUBAÏ	s.t.
136	IBRAHIM Khalid	SKYDIVE DUBAÏ	+ 19' 18'

GC after Stage 1:

1	CAVENDISH Mark	DIMENSION DATA	3hr 28min 31sec
2	MODOLO Sacha	LAMPRE-MERIDA	@ 8sec
3	GUARDINI Andrea	ASTANA	+ 00' 11''
4	KRISTOFF Alexander	KATUSHA	+ 00' 12''
5	KUZNETSOV Viacheslav	KATUSHA	+ 00' 13''
6	VAN AVERMAET Greg	BMC	+ 00' 14''
7	BENNETT Sam	BORA-ARGON 18	+ 00' 15''
8	BOASSON HAGEN Edvald	DIMENSION DATA	s.t.
9	QUINZIATO Manuel	BMC	s.t.
10	GERARD Arnaud	FORTUNEO-VITAL CONCEPT	s.t.
11	ANDERSEN Søren Kragh	GIANT-ALPECIN	s.t.
12	SCHÄR Michael	BMC	s.t.
13	DEMPSTER Zakkari	BORA-ARGON 18	s.t.
14	BYSTRÖM Sven Erik	KATUSHA	s.t.
15	SELIG Rüdiger	BORA-ARGON 18	+ 00' 20''
16	MORKOV Michael	KATUSHA	+ 00' 33''
17	KUMP Marko	LAMPRE-MERIDA	@ 1min 58sec
18	HOFLAND Moreno	LOTTO NL - JUMBO	s.t.
19	HADDI Soufiane	SKYDIVE DUBAÏ	s.t.
20	DEBESAY Mekseb	DIMENSION DATA	s.t.
21	STEELS Stijn	TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN	s.t.
22	ALZATE Carlos	UNITEDHEALTHCARE	s.t.
23	TLEUBAYEV Ruslan	ASTANA	s.t.
24	VANSPEYBROUCK Pieter	TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN	s.t.
25	KUREK Adrian	CCC SPRANDI POLKOWICE	s.t.
26	PALINI Andrea	SKYDIVE DUBAÏ	s.t.
27	GRUZDEV Dmitriy	ASTANA	s.t.
28	VAN EMDEN Jos	LOTTO NL - JUMBO	s.t.
29	REIHS Michael	STÖLTING SERVICE GROUP	s.t.
30	TURGOT Sébastien	AG2R LA MONDIALE	s.t.
31	THWAITES Scott	BORA-ARGON 18	s.t.
32	MCNALLY Mark	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	s.t.
33	MARCATO Marco	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	s.t.
34	DRUCKER Jean-Pierre	BMC	s.t.
35	VAN HECKE Preben	TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN	s.t.
36	THOMSON Jay Robert	DIMENSION DATA	s.t.
37	JONES Christopher	UNITEDHEALTHCARE	s.t.
38	KAMBERAJ Xhuliano	SKYDIVE DUBAÏ	s.t.
39	OSS Daniel	BMC	s.t.
40	GUARNIERI Jacopo	KATUSHA	s.t.
41	ANTONINI Simone	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	s.t.
42	RENSHAW Mark	DIMENSION DATA	s.t.
43	WYNANTS Maarten	LOTTO NL - JUMBO	s.t.
44	EATON Daniel	UNITEDHEALTHCARE	s.t.
45	STAMSNIJDER Tom	GIANT-ALPECIN	s.t.
46	FARRAR Tyler	DIMENSION DATA	s.t.
47	VAN SUMMEREN Johan	AG2R LA MONDIALE	s.t.
48	POLITT Nils	KATUSHA	s.t.
49	KOZONTCHUK Dmitry	KATUSHA	s.t.
50	PERICHON Pierre-Luc	FORTUNEO-VITAL CONCEPT	s.t.
51	BRAMMEIER Matthew	DIMENSION DATA	s.t.
52	TRONET Steven	FORTUNEO-VITAL CONCEPT	s.t.
53	PÖSTLBERGER Lukas	BORA-ARGON 18	+ 02' 21''
54	MARYCZ Jaroslaw	CCC SPRANDI POLKOWICE	+ 08' 07''
55	KIENDYS Tomasz	CCC SPRANDI POLKOWICE	s.t.
56	GRETSCH Patrick	AG2R LA MONDIALE	s.t.
57	DECLERCQ Tim	TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN	s.t.
58	WESTRA Lieuwe	ASTANA	s.t.
59	HONKISZ Adrian	CCC SPRANDI POLKOWICE	s.t.
60	JANS Roy	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	s.t.
61	TEUNISSEN Mike	LOTTO NL - JUMBO	s.t.
62	WEGMANN Fabian	STÖLTING SERVICE GROUP	s.t.
63	ROOSEN Timo	LOTTO NL - JUMBO	s.t.
64	SMUKULIS Gatis	ASTANA	s.t.
65	VALLEE Boris	FORTUNEO-VITAL CONCEPT	s.t.
66	VAN MEIRHAEGHE Jef	TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN	s.t.
67	BOOM Lars	ASTANA	s.t.
68	WAEYTENS ZICO	GIANT-ALPECIN	+ 09' 33''
69	VAN ROOY Kenneth	TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN	+ 10' 43''
70	KERKHOF Tim	ROOMPOT ORANJE PELOTON	+ 12' 08''
71	JELLOUL Adil	SKYDIVE DUBAÏ	s.t.
72	JI Cheng	GIANT-ALPECIN	s.t.
73	ZABEL Rick	BMC	s.t.
74	DE VRIES Berden	ROOMPOT ORANJE PELOTON	s.t.
75	ZAKHAROV Artyom	ASTANA	s.t.
76	VAN GOETHEM Brian	ROOMPOT ORANJE PELOTON	s.t.
77	DE TIER Floris	TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN	s.t.
78	NAPOLITANO Danilo	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	s.t.
79	BREEN Vegard	FORTUNEO-VITAL CONCEPT	s.t.
80	SVENDGAARD Michael	STÖLTING SERVICE GROUP	s.t.
81	JONES Brenton	DRAPAC CYCLING	s.t.
82	MARKUS Barry	ROOMPOT ORANJE PELOTON	s.t.
83	BROWN Graeme	DRAPAC CYCLING	s.t.
84	KREDER Wesley	ROOMPOT ORANJE PELOTON	s.t.
85	FRÖHLINGER Johannes	GIANT-ALPECIN	s.t.
86	ROSSKOPF Joseph	BMC	s.t.
87	VAN ASBROECK Tom	LOTTO NL - JUMBO	s.t.
88	CAPIOT Amaury	TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN	s.t.
89	SLIK Ivar	ROOMPOT ORANJE PELOTON	s.t.
90	SULZBERGER Bernard	DRAPAC CYCLING	s.t.
91	BUSCHE Matthew	UNITEDHEALTHCARE	s.t.
92	STENUIT Robin	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	s.t.
93	SCHILLINGER Andreas	BORA-ARGON 18	s.t.
94	WAGNER Robert	LOTTO NL - JUMBO	s.t.
95	ASSELMAN Jesper	ROOMPOT ORANJE PELOTON	s.t.
96	HASNAOUI Maher	SKYDIVE DUBAÏ	s.t.
97	PFINGSTEN Christoph	BORA-ARGON 18	s.t.
98	ARCHBOLD Shane	BORA-ARGON 18	s.t.
99	LOOIJ André	ROOMPOT ORANJE PELOTON	s.t.
100	SANTAROMITA Ivan	SKYDIVE DUBAÏ	s.t.
101	KOEP Thomas	STÖLTING SERVICE GROUP	s.t.
102	COSTA Mario	LAMPRE-MERIDA	s.t.
103	STEPNIAK Grzegorz	CCC SPRANDI POLKOWICE	s.t.
104	CASTELIJNS Twan	LOTTO NL - JUMBO	s.t.
105	ARASHIRO Yukiya	LAMPRE-MERIDA	s.t.
106	HOULE Hugo	AG2R LA MONDIALE	s.t.
107	PIBERNIK Luka	LAMPRE-MERIDA	s.t.
108	CIMOLAI Davide	LAMPRE-MERIDA	s.t.
109	JARRIER Benoit	FORTUNEO-VITAL CONCEPT	s.t.
110	THURAU Bjorn	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	s.t.
111	REBELLIN Davide	CCC SPRANDI POLKOWICE	s.t.
112	PONZI Simone	CCC SPRANDI POLKOWICE	s.t.
113	CANOLA Marco	UNITEDHEALTHCARE	s.t.
114	LOWNDES Jason	DRAPAC CYCLING	s.t.
115	REGUIGUI Youcef	DIMENSION DATA	s.t.
116	WHITE Bradley	UNITEDHEALTHCARE	s.t.
117	KEOUGH Luke	UNITEDHEALTHCARE	s.t.
118	MENZIES Karl	UNITEDHEALTHCARE	s.t.
119	KIRSCH Alex	STÖLTING SERVICE GROUP	s.t.
120	MINARD Sébastien	AG2R LA MONDIALE	s.t.
121	GAUDIN Damien	AG2R LA MONDIALE	s.t.
122	HALLER Marco	KATUSHA	s.t.
123	PEDERSEN Mads	STÖLTING SERVICE GROUP	s.t.
124	KAMP Alexander	STÖLTING SERVICE GROUP	s.t.
125	KONING Peter	DRAPAC CYCLING	s.t.
126	DE HAES Kenny	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	s.t.
127	MAGER Christian	STÖLTING SERVICE GROUP	+ 12' 49''
128	HUTAROVICH Yauheni	FORTUNEO-VITAL CONCEPT	+ 19' 30''
129	BAGDONAS Gediminas	AG2R LA MONDIALE	s.t.
130	MC LAY DANIEL	FORTUNEO-VITAL CONCEPT	s.t.
131	SERGENT Jesse	AG2R LA MONDIALE	s.t.
132	ZURLO Federico	LAMPRE-MERIDA	s.t.
133	KERBY Jordan	DRAPAC CYCLING	s.t.
134	SPOKES Samuel	DRAPAC CYCLING	s.t.
135	ALHAMMADI Sultan	SKYDIVE DUBAÏ	s.t.
136	IBRAHIM Khalid	SKYDIVE DUBAÏ	+ 19' 33''

---

Start list, February 7, 2016:

	TEAM KATUSHA / RUS
	Sporting Manager: SCHMIDT Torsten
1	KRISTOFF Alexander
2	BYSTRÖM Sven Erik
3	GUARNIERI Jacopo
4	HALLER Marco
5	KOZONTCHUK Dmitry
6	KUZNETSOV Viacheslav
7	MORKOV Michael
8	POLITT Nils
	DIMENSION DATA / RSA
	Sporting Managers: HAMMOND Roger / HEYNDERRICKX Jean-Pierre
11	CAVENDISH Mark
12	BOASSON HAGEN Edvald
13	BRAMMEIER Matthew
14	DEBESAY Mekseb
15	FARRAR Tyler
16	REGUIGUI Youcef
17	RENSHAW Mark
18	THOMSON Jay Robert
	TEAM GIANT-ALPECIN / GER
	Sporting Managers: REEF Marc / ROBERTS Luke
21	ANDERSEN Søren Kragh
22	FRÖHLINGER Johannes
23	JI Cheng
24	STAMSNIJDER Tom
25	WAEYTENS ZICO
	BMC RACING TEAM / USA
	Sporting Managers: BALDATO Fabio / PINOTTI Marco
31	VAN AVERMAET Greg
32	BOHLI Tom
33	DRUCKER Jean-Pierre
34	OSS Daniel
35	QUINZIATO Manuel
36	ROSSKOPF Joseph
37	SCHÄR Michael
38	ZABEL Rick
	BORA-ARGON 18 / GER
	Sporting Managers: POITSCHKE Enrico / PASTERKI Slawomir
41	BENNETT Sam
42	ARCHBOLD Shane
43	DEMPSTER Zakkari
44	PFINGSTEN Christoph
45	PÖSTLBERGER Lukas
46	SCHILLINGER Andreas
47	SELIG Rüdiger
48	THWAITES Scott
	FORTUNEO - VITAL CONCEPT / FRA
	Sporting Manager: HINAULT Sébastien
51	TRONET Steven
52	BREEN Vegard
53	GERARD Arnaud
54	HUTAROVICH Yauheni
55	JARRIER Benoit
56	MC LAY DANIEL
57	PERICHON Pierre-Luc
58	VALLEE Boris
	ASTANA PRO TEAM / KAZ
	Sporting Managers: ZANINI Stefano / FOFONOV Dmitriy
61	GUARDINI Andrea
62	BOOM Lars
63	GRUZDEV Dmitriy
64	OMIRZAKOV Dias
65	SMUKULIS Gatis
66	TLEUBAYEV Ruslan
67	WESTRA Lieuwe
68	ZAKHAROV Artyom
	TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN-BALOISE / BEL
	Sporting Managers: DE CLERCQ Hans / MISSOTTEN Andy
71	VAN HECKE Preben
72	CAPIOT Amaury
73	DE TIER Floris
74	DECLERCQ Tim
75	STEELS Stijn
76	VAN MEIRHAEGHE Jef
77	VAN ROOY Kenneth
78	VANSPEYBROUCK Pieter
	TEAM LOTTO NL - JUMBO / NED
	Sporting Manager: BOVEN Jan
81	HOFLAND Moreno
82	CASTELIJNS Twan
83	ROOSEN Timo
84	TEUNISSEN Mike
85	VAN ASBROECK Tom
86	VAN EMDEN Jos
87	WAGNER Robert
88	WYNANTS Maarten
	WANTY - GROUPE GOBERT / BEL
	Sporting Manager: DE NEEF Steven
91	MARCATO Marco
92	ANTONINI Simone
93	DE HAES Kenny
94	JANS Roy
95	MCNALLY Mark
96	NAPOLITANO Danilo
97	STENUIT Robin
98	THURAU Bjorn
	DRAPAC CYCLING / AUS
	Sporting Managers: FLORY Keith / BREEKVELDT Jonathan
101	BROWN Graeme
102	JONES Brenton
103	KERBY Jordan
104	KONING Peter
105	LOWNDES Jason
106	MOURIS Jens
107	SPOKES Samuel
108	SULZBERGER Bernard
	AG2R-LA MONDIALE / FRA
	Sporting Manager: KASPUTIS Arturas
111	VAN SUMMEREN Johan
112	BAGDONAS Gediminas
113	GAUDIN Damien
114	GRETSCH Patrick
115	HOULE Hugo
116	MINARD Sébastien
117	SERGENT Jesse
118	TURGOT Sébastien
	ROOMPOT ORANJE PELOTON / NED
	Sporting Managers: CORNELISSE Michel / VAN POPPEL Jean-Paul
121	ASSELMAN Jesper
122	DE VRIES Berden
123	KERKHOF Tim
124	KREDER Wesley
125	LOOIJ André
126	MARKUS Barry
127	SLIK Ivar
128	VAN GOETHEM Brian
	LAMPRE - MERIDA / ITA
	Sporting Manager: MAUDUIT Philippe
131	MODOLO Sacha
132	ARASHIRO Yukiya
133	CIMOLAI Davide
134	COSTA Mario
135	KUMP Marko
136	MOHORIC Matej
137	PIBERNIK Luka
138	ZURLO Federico
	CCC SPRANDI POLKOWICE / POL
	Sporting Manager: WADECKI Piotr
141	REBELLIN Davide
142	HONKISZ Adrian
143	KIENDYS Tomasz
144	KUREK Adrian
145	MARYCZ Jaroslaw
146	PONZI Simone
147	STEPNIAK Grzegorz
	UNITEDHEALTHCARE / USA
	Sporting Managers: TAMAYO Michael / HEAL Rachel
151	CANOLA Marco
152	ALZATE Carlos
153	BUSCHE Matthew
154	EATON Daniel
155	JONES Christopher
156	KEOUGH Luke
157	MENZIES Karl
158	WHITE Bradley
	STÖLTING SERVICE GROUP / GER
	Sporting Managers: WILLWOHL Gregor / STEENSEN Andre
161	WEGMANN Fabian
162	KAMP Alexander
163	KIRSCH Alex
164	KOEP Thomas
165	MAGER Christian
166	PEDERSEN Mads
167	REIHS Michael
168	SVENDGAARD Michael Carbel
	SKYDIVE DUBAÏ / UAE
	Sporting Manager: VOLPI Alberto / MEHRAB Humaid
171	SANTAROMITA Ivan
172	ALHAMMADI Sultan
173	HADDI Soufiane
174	HASNAOUI Maher
175	IBRAHIM Khalid
176	JELLOUL Adil
177	KAMBERAJ Xhuliano