AL KHOR, Qatar, Feb 2, 2009 (AFP) – Britain’s Roger Hammond, riding for the
Cervelo team, won the second stage of the Tour of Qatar after bringing home a
solo attack late in the 134km race around Al Khor.

Hammond, who takes over the race lead from fellow Briton Bradley Wiggins of
Garmin, finished just ahead of a fast approaching group headed by Italian
Danilo Napolitano and including Belgian sprint star Tom Boonen, who finished
fourth.

Boonen now lies second in the overall standings, six seconds off the pace.
The 35-year-old Hammond paid tribute to the assistance he received from his
teammates in collecting Monday’s stage.

“It’s a great collective victory,” he said.

“In a sprint into the wind I would have had no chance against Boonen, so I
preferred to anticipate,” added the Briton who made his decisive move three
kilometres from the line.

Hammond noted that this stage win had come just five months after his team
Cervelo — which includes reigning Tour de France champion Carlos Sastre of
Spain — was launched.

“This first success is reward for all the team who’ve worked really hard
over the winter.

“The aim now is to win this Tour of Qatar and then to make our mark in the
races that follow.”

Tuesday’s third stage will take the peloton over 137.5km from Al Zubarah to
Doha.