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
Friday 3 February 2006| stage 5 | Al Thakhira > Doha Corniche - 151.5 km |  |
|---|
Boonen back with a win!
By claiming the last stage, Tom Boonen ended in style his Qatar campaign: 5 victories in 6 days and the overall victory.
LE FILM DE L'ÉTAPE
Sunny conditions, strong winds, flat course, 126 riders at the start.
Three men in the lead
Immediately after the start, the race proved to be fast and eventful with a group of 14 riders taking off at km 10, and then a group of 13 breaking away at km 18 but neither managed a decent gap. All were bunched together again at km 27 while the pack slowed down, allowing the dropped riders to make it back in the main group. Four kilometers later, Krauss took off taking with him Meschenmoser and Vastaranta. The three escapees enjoyed a 1’20’’ lead at km 35.
The gap increases but then drops
The leading riders increased their advantage: 3’15’’ at km 40, 4’25’’ at km 45, 5’05’’ at km 50 and 5’25’’ as then riders entered the final 10 laps on the Corniche. That was to be the maximum gap for Krauss, Meschenmoser and Vastaranta, that then started loses time on the pack. At the first intermediate sprint (km 61,5) Krauss beat Meschenmoser and Vastaranta. At the second intermediate sprint (km 106,5) the escapees only had a 35’’ lead. Menschenmoser, Vastaranta and Krauss made it in that order on the sprint line.
All over again
The Phonak riders took care of the chase and moved closer to the leaders. The escapees were joined by a fourth rider, Crosbie, but Krauss then stopped his effort while two other riders joined in: Thijs and Omloop. The five leaders were to be caught at km 137, and the Milram team moved to the leading positions helped out by the Phonaks. The pack was then bunched with 15 km to go.
Zabel second again
In the penultimate lap, the pack broke up in several groups. In the leading bunch were all the holders of the leading jerseys and a majority of Quick Step riders. The final sprint, Tom Boonen well launched and counting on a good rear wind beat Erik Zabel for stage success. The Belgian wins the overall standings as well as the point’s classification. Breschel is the best young rider while Phonak is the best team.
LE MAGAZINE
Three questions to Tom Boonen, winner of the 5th edition of the Tour of Qatar
Q: Tom Boonen, five wins in six races added to the overall victory. How does that feel?
R: These victories in the Doha International Grand Prix and on the Tour of Qatar are very important as are all big victories. Especially at the start of the season it gives me great motivation for the remaining races.
Q: Don’t these wins add extra pressure?
R: More I have pressure, better I feel. I feel very relaxed now because it makes it easier to win after that. I don’t know stress. Added to that, the work done this winter is paying and I’m very happy. I already feel stronger than last year.
Q: Aren’t you worried not to be in shape too early?
R: No, I’m not yet in full shape. For Milan-San Remo I’ll be 10 % better than today and during the Spring Classics I hope to be 20 % better!