EN BREF
| Stage winner | Tom BOONEN |
 (golden jersey) |
Tom BOONEN |
 (silver jersey) |
Tom BOONEN |
 (blue jersey) |
Matti BRESCHEL |
TOUS LES CLASSEMENTS
| Stage |
|---|
 |
|
• Individual time • Individual points • Best young • Best team |
|
| Overall |
|
|
• Individual time • Individual points • Best young • Best team |
ÉTAPES PAR ÉTAPES
| 1 | Monday 30 January | 131.5 km |
| Khalifa Stadium > Al Khor Corniche | ||
| 2 | Tuesday 31 January | 138 km |
| Camel Race Track > Al Khor Corniche | ||
| 3 | Wednesday 1 February | 160 km |
| Sealine Beach Resort > Khalifa Stadium | ||
| 4 | Thursday 2 February | 144 km |
| Al Zubarah > Qatar Olympic Committee | ||
| 5 | Friday 3 February | 151.5 km |
| Al Thakhira > Doha Corniche | ||
| Total | 725 km | |
LA COURSE
Wednesday 1 February 2006| stage 3 | Sealine Beach Resort > Khalifa Stadium - 160 km |  |
 |
|---|
Quickstep launch Boonen to victory
Perfectly helped by his teammates, the World Champion controlled the day’s stage and managed to capture the win after a fine sprint. He increases his overall lead.
LE FILM DE L'ÉTAPE
Nice temperatures, light winds, flat course; 129 riders at the start.
A nice 9-man break
After an eventful start of the stage, three riders managed to break away at km 12: Van Heule, Weissinger and Omloop. They were to be joined at km 36 by six counter attackers: Horner, Krauss, Valentin, Knees, Jegou and Reinerink. The pack didn’t look too concerned by the break and remained 3’10’’ adrift. At the first intermediate sprint in Messaied won by Krauss ahead of Valentin and Reinerink, the gap grew to 8 minutes, a maximum gap.
Quick Step and CSC on the move
On the very long straight after the sprint with a 2/3 favourable wind, the pack broke up in three groups as it increased its pace, moving closer to the escapees. The nine leading riders were to be caught at km 102, while the second and third group still remained behind. The Quick Step and CSC teams stayed in the leading positions of the pack controlling the race.
Klinger gives it a go!
The second intermediate sprint in Ramdat Rashed (km 111) was won by Clerc ahead of Zabel and Breschel. Just after that (km 117) a group of 17 riders took off but again the favourite’s teams reacted and closed in on the escapees 10km later. A solo attempt from Klinger, with 12km to go eventually proved to be vain as the German was caught back 4 km from the finish, despite enjoying a 15’’ lead.
The Blue team takes command!
Once again, the ‘blue team’ of Tom Boonen proved to be very efficient, launching its World Champion in fine fashion. Indeed, Tom Boonen did give the slightest chance to Zabel and Breschel, who finished second and third. The golden and silver jerseys stay in the possession of the Belgian while Breschel captures the blue jersey.
LE MAGAZINE
A thorough bread champion
Qatar has over a dozen specialities and resources, Arabian thorough breads horses are one of them. These horses that have the specificity of the Arabian peninsula are originally from Yemen and all along the tribal wars they have become a part of Qatar’s culture. Sheikh Khalid Bin Ali Al Thani, president of the Qatar Cycling Federation, explains with passion the physical qualities of the thorough breads: “They have a huge sensitivity, they are skilful and enduring with incredible capacities to travel through the desert. They also have the capacity to be very nervous and that makes them great competitors for international contests. Qualities that one can also see in the future winner of the Tour of Qatar.â€
Kevin Hulsmans, team mate of Tom Boonen, compares the qualities of these animals with those of a rider: “The big difference between the two is that the riders have to use there legs and still be careful at what is happening during the race. On the other hand, on a horse, there is no stress, one can be relaxed and enjoy the landscape. During the race, it’s impossible!â€