Boonen retains lead after stage three win in Tour of Qatar
Boonen retains lead after stage three win in Tour of Qatar
DOHA, Jan 29, 2008 (AFP) - Belgium’s Tom Boonen, riding for the Quick Step
team, retained the overall lead after winning the third stage of the Tour of
Qatar here on Tuesday.
Boonen sprinted home ahead of Italy’s Danilo Napolitano and Dutchman Steven
De Jongh after the 147.5km ride from the Camel Race Track to Qatar Foundation,
crossing the line in 3hr 29min 41sec.
Midway through the day’s action the Belgian just avoided a fall after a
near collision with Dutchman Maarten Tjallingii.
“I had to take evasive action,” the race leader said.
“It’s a nice win as the day was far from easy. It was very windy and the
riders were nervy.”
Aussie Chris Sutton and Belgian pair Greg Van Avermaet and Jurgen Roelandts
also just missed out as they saw Boonen just nip in by a wheel rim to give him
a 13sec overall lead over De Jongh with Van Avermaet - who suffered a puncture
in the early stages before getting back into contention - 10sec further back.
Sutton still has hopes of at least a top-three finish as he is just 1sec
off the podium placings.
Wednesday’s fourth stage is a 131.5km ride from Khalifa Stadium to Al Khor
Corniche.
Categories: News, Races
Tags:
Leave a Reply