LA COURSE
Friday 27 January 2006| stage 1 | Doha Corniche>Doha Corniche - 108 km |
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Boonen untouchable!
Tom Boonen perfectly honoured his World Champion rainbow jersey by clinching victory in the third edition of the Doha International Grand-Prix The Belgian made the best of his first race this year to beat Robert Hunter and Erik Zabel after the 108km of the day’s race covered on a circuit on the Doha Corniche in Qatar.
LE FILM DE L'ÉTAPE
The 135 riders of the Doha International Grand-Prix took off at 2:00 AM for the 12 laps of the seaside 9km circuit. After only 3km, Dutchman Piet Rooijakkers (SKS) was the first to break away from the pack. He was rapidly caught up by two counter-attacking riders: Tom Stubbe (JAC) and David Boucher (UNI).
3 men in the lead
The three riders saw their lead reach 30†after 10km and then move up to 1’20 after 15km with the pack deciding not to chase the escapees. The three-man group enjoyed a maximum 6’30 advantage at km 36, at the end of the 4th lap. At km 74, Frenchman David Boucher suffering leg cramps was dropped by his breakaway companions. Meanwhile, the pack led by Tom Boonen’s Quickstep teammates eased up the pace and moved closer to the front men. At km 94, Rooijakkers and Stubbe were caught by the pack, with 14km left, and less than a lap and a half to go.
Quickstep controls
The pace of the pack carried on increasing under the influence of the Quickstep riders present at the front of the race to control any possible attempt. But with no attack occurring, the pack made it bunched for the final sprint. Well launched by his Quickstep partners, Tom Boonen (QSI) comfortably beat titleholder Robert Hunter (PHO) and Erik Zabel (MRM) for final victory.