Tom Boonen Stays In Tour of Qatar Lead After Napolitano Stage 5 Win
Boonen stays in Qatar lead after Napolitano stage win
AL KHOR, Qatar, Jan 31, 2008 (AFP) - Italy’s Danilo Napolitano, of the Lampre team, won the fifth stage of the Tour of Qatar on Thursday, a 170km ride around Al Khor.
Italian Alberto Loddo finished second and Belgium’s Tom Boonen, who rides for the Quick Step team, third, a result that was enough to keep hold of the leader’s yellow jersey.
Napolitano crossed the line in 3hr 49min 14sec in a close-fought sprint for the line which saw Loddo and Boonen at his wheel to the finish.
Boonen now has a lead of 17sec over Steven De Jongh of the Netherlands with Belgian Greg Van Avermaet 13sec further back and Aussie racer Christopher Sutton with 6sec to make up if he wants to haul his way onto the podium.
“I didn’t think I’d be able to beat Tom as he has been so far ahead of the game,” said Napolitano.
“Two kilometres out from the line I stuck to Boonen’s wheel and then when Steven De Jongh was getting set to spring his leader with 200 metres to go.
Then that’s the last they saw of me,” smiled the Italian.
Friday’s final stage is a 120km ride from Al Wakra to Doha.
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