Cultural Village
2 km
Sunday 6 February
On the splendid course set for the prologue of the tenth edition of the Tour of Qatar, Dutchman Lars Boom made the best of the wind, cobbled stones and sharp bends to capture victory. The Rabobank rider claims the first overall leader’s golden jersey of this edition.
The tenth edition of the men’s Tour of Qatar started by a very eventful prologue staged around the brand new Cultural Village of Doha. The 126 riders of the race were to battle it out on a 2.5km time-trial, on cobbled stones.
Taking off in the early positions (23rd), Juan-Antonio Flecha (SKY) set the first reference time, in 3’13, and was to keep the lead until the big guns hit the road.
In 3’07, Netherland’s Lars Boom was to establish the best time of the day. Making the best of the windy conditions and bends on the course, the Rabobank rider eventually beat Fabian Cancellara (LEO) by 4”. Third on the day was another Dutchman Tom Veelers (SKS), 5” adrift.
Boom takes command of the overall jersey and will be wearing the Golden jersey for tomorrow’s first stage between Dukhan and the Camel Race Track. He also leads the points’ classification while best young rider of the Tour is Alex Dowsett (SKY), fifth on the day.