After a fabulous showdown between the race favourites in the last 20 kms of the stage, Tom Boonen battled his way to the line to claim his second stage success of the 2010 Tour of Qatar. The title holder however failed to gain time on golden jersey Wouter Mol. The Dutchman can seriously consider final victory with one day to go.

 

Stage 5: Lusail – Madinat Al Shamal, 142 kilometres

123 riders at the start; 16 teams

Windy

 

A fairly strong wind welcomed the riders at Lusail for the start of stage 5. Interesting conditions for what promised to be a fierce battle between the title contenders of the Tour. Indeed the pack making the best of a tailwind started off at a rather fast pace (49.4 kms covered during the first hour). At kilometre 18, three riders broke away: Hansen (THR), Ignatiev (KAT) and Tuft (GRM). They were soon caught by three other escapees: Reimer (CTT), Zahner (BMC) and Riblon (ALM). The front six saw their lead grow from 50” at km 29 to 1’50 at the first intermediate sprint (km 46) claimed by Reimer in front of Ignatiev and Zahner.

 

As the leaders headed north, the pack led by the Saxo Bank team started speeding up and closed in on the breakaway. But seeing that the wind just wasn’t strong enough and that the main field wasn’t splitting apart, the Saxo Bank boys stopped their efforts and again the gap increased: from 25” at km 56 to a maximum 2’30 at km 76. The second sprint (km 113.5) was won by Reimer ahead of Riblon and Zahner as the main field moved dangerously closer at 35”.

 

Heading north again to Madinat Al Shamal, the strong teams moved up to the leading positions of the pack as the pace got faster. All the escapees were finally caught at km 115. The bunch eventually broke up in the final 25 kilometres. A front group of 14 men with golden jersey Mol (VAC), blue jersey Kluge (MRM) as well as Cancellara (SAX), Farrar (GRM), Napolitano (KAT) and Bennati could enjoy a slim 30” lead over a group including title holder Tom Boonen (QST) and silver jersey Haussler (CTT). The gap however dropped down as the front men entered Madinat. At the final kilometre mark, all the favourites were together again for a bunch sprint by the sea. Like at Mesaieed, scene of his first success this year, Tom Boonen proved to be the fastest to the line. The Belgian champion beat Napolitano (KAT) and Boasson Hagen (SKY) to capture his 17^th success in Qatar.

 

A fine day for Boonen, an even better one for overall leader Wouter Mol who managed to stay with the strongest. The Vacansoleil rider keeps a 9” lead over Steurs (TSV) and a very interesting 1’45 lead over Boonen, still third. Haussler and Kluge  keep the silver and blue jerseys.

 

 

Writer : Sonia Azad