© Presse Sports
They will always be there, surrounded by their guard, close together, pedals and dérailleurs sharp, hungry, eager to be let loose under the Qatari sun, to the first battle lined up between the sprinters.
Tom Boonen, king of the Doha Corniche for many seasons, will be able to count on the support of Tosatto and an entire team at his service to preserve the crown. But Haussler, supported in turn by Hunt and Hammond at the core/centre of the Cervelo team, Farrar and the Armada of Garmin-Transition, Bennati, Napolitano or even Feillu and Casper, will be looking to upset the established order and add the Tour of Qatar, by now a traditional appointment for sprinters, to their honours (record of achievement).
In a different frequency, Cancellera, Gilbert, Ballan, Pozzato or even Wiggins and Boasson Hagen could benefit from the hazards of a race always accelerated by the wind to widen the gap and surprise the sprinters. The bets will then remain open: who will be the most punctual at the great appointment at the Corniche? The answer will be given from the 6 to 12 February.
Belgium
Omega Pharma - Lotto (OLO): Gilbert, Cretskens (BEL)
Quickstep (QST): Boonen (BEL)
Topsport Vlaanderen-Mercato (TSV): Lodewijck (BEL)
Denmark
Team Saxo Bank (SAX): Cancellara (SUI), JJ.Haedo (ARG)
France
Saur-Sojasun (SAU): Casper (FRA)
AG2R-La Mondiale (ALM): Hinault, Mondory (Fra)
Germany
Team Milram (MRM): Ciolek (GER)
Great Britain
Team Sky (SKY): Wiggins (GBR), Boasson Hagen (NOR)
Italy
Liquigas - Doimo (LIQ): Bennati, Chicchi (ITA)
The Netherlands
Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team (VAC): R.Feillu (FRA)
Switzerland
Cervelo Test Team (CTT): Haussler (GER), Hammond (GBR)
Russie
Katusha Team (KAT): Napolitano, Pozzato (ITA)
USA
BMC Racing Team (BMC): Ballan (Ita), Burghardt (GER)
Garmin-Transitions (GRM): Farrar (USA)
Team Columbia-HTC (THR): Eisel (AUT)
Trek Livestrong (TLS): Phinney (USA)