The Olympic champion, Nicole Cook from Britain, the world champion, Giorgia Bronzini from Italy, and the best teams that make up the female cycling peloton will all be there: no doubt attracting a large crowd to the inauguration the third edition of the Ladies Tour of Qatar. This bears testimony to the achievement of this race, which in a short space of time has gained its place among the unmissable events of the cycling season. By now well anchored in the international racing calendar, it has become the most prestigious event starting off the year. This is thanks to the high level of demand and dedication of the state of Qatar, its high quality infrastructure and to the region’s particularly propitious climate at this time of year.
For this third edition, the sportswomen of the 15 selected teams will compete during three days of racing over 300kms. The backdrop to this race is the serene expanse of the country’s geography, punctuated by the start and finish of its stages in its most emblematic sites: The Museum of Islamic Art, Doha Corniche, Camel Race Track, and for the first time, Dukhan, in the west of the country, where the first stage will have its finishing line. All the elements are in place to guarantee that from 2 to 4 February 2011, the third Ladies Tour of Qatar will offer an amazing sight full of emotions.
Christian PRUDHOMME
Director of the Tour de France