DOHA, Qatar, Feb 8, 2011 – Australia’s Heinrich Haussler of Garmin
won the second stage of the Tour of Qatar on Tuesday between the Camel Race
Track and Doha Golf Club, ousting Italian Daniele Bennati and Russian Denis
Galimzyanov in a sprint finish.

Belgian Tom Boonen of Quick Step retained the overall leader’s golden
jersey after placing sixth on the day.

Haussler, 26, was delighted after coming through the 135km stage – but
stage one winner Boonen himself endured a rough time of it heading for the
finish.

He explained: “Two of my teammates who were supposed to launch my sprint,
Nikolas Maes and Andreas Stauff, suffered punctures in the final five
kilometres and, badly positioned, I was unable to go for it. It’s a shame as
the rest of the day was perfect.”

Italian champion Giovanni Visconti launched an early escape with compatriot
Manuel Quinziato, Russian Mikhail Ignatyev and Belgians Niko Eeckhout and Jan
Ghyselink at the 7km mark.

But after putting 5min between themselves and the pack they were finally
hauled in 10km from the line.

“That’s why our win was deserved,” said Haussler, whose 2010 season was
ravaged by knee problems.

“We were working away whereas Quick Step were watching us do so.”

Wednesday is a 150.5km ride from Al Wakra to Messayed.

Stage
1. Heinrich Haussler (AUS/Garmin) 3hr 04min 03sec, 2. Daniele Bennati (ITA) s.t.,
3. Denis Galimzyanov (RUS) s.t.,
4. Theo Bos (NED) s.t.,
5. Roger Kluger (GER) s.t.,
6. Tom Boonen (BEL) s.t.,
7. Mirco Lorenzetto (ITA) s.t.,
8. Danilo Hondo (GER) s.t.,
9. Gert Steegmans (BEL) s.t.,
10. Wouter Weylandt

(BEL) s.t.

Overall standings
1. Tom Boonen (BEL/Quick Step) 6hr 06min 35sec,
2. Heinrich Haussler (AUS) at 1sec,
3. Mark Renshaw (AUS) 4,
4. Fabian Cancellara (SUI) 8,
5. Juan Antonio Flecha (ESP) 9,
6. Daniele Bennati (ITA) 10,
7. Andreas Klier (GER) 16,
8. Gert Steegmans (BEL) 17,
9. Jeremy Hunt (GBR) 19,
10. Dominique Rollin (CAN) 19

Article:AFP