Written by: Benoit Noel
DOHA, Feb 11, 2011 – Australian Mark Renshaw landed his first stage
race victory at the 10th edition of the Tour of Qatar here on Friday after the
fifth and final stage, won by Italian rider Andrea Guardini.
HTC-Highroad’s Renshaw took control of the race after Thursday’s fourth
stage to take a six-second lead over compatriot Heinrich Haussler of
Garmin-Cervelo.
And the former track specialist, who is the key lead-out man to British
sprint king Mark Cavendish during the hectic bunch sprints, kept an eye on his
main rival throughout the day to claim the biggest road win of his career.
“I’ve been lucky enough to ride for Australia on the track and in the
Olympic Games, but on the road this is the best result I’ve ever had,” said
Renshaw, whose win prompted double celebrations a week after HTC’s Ellen van
Dijk won the women’s Tour of Qatar.
“The last day was really a question of staying in the pack and making sure
I stayed close to Haussler and at the head of the field.
“It’s great to come here and get the win in Qatar, it’s such a hard race
and to follow on the win by the women’s team makes it even more special.”
Belgium’s Greg Van Avermaet and Lithuanian Gediminas Bagdonas provided the
day’s early entertainment, the pair breaking free after kilometre 12 and going
on to build a lead of over five minutes on the peloton.
But their 106km escapade came to an end just six kilometres from the end as
the sprinters’ teams drove the peloton towards the finish line.
Renshaw was promoted as his team’s leader after Cavendish suffered injuries
in a crash on the first stage.
However, despite the pair’s bid to finish in a victory flurry, they had to
sit up in the final 200 metres as Guardini powered over the line centimetres
ahead of fellow Italian Francesco Chicchi.
Guardini, a first-year professional who won an impressive five stages at
the recent Tour de Langkawi in Malaysia, said: “Even when I was crossing the
line I wasn’t sure I’d won. Francesco was coming back so fast.
“It’s amazing what’s happening in my first year as a pro. Five stages at
Langkawi, and now to win in Qatar ahead of the best sprinters in the world is
just unbelievable.”
Former three-time champion Tom Boonen, who won stage one, finished the race
in tatters — a crash early in the stage leaving the Belgian with knocks to
his right elbow and left knee, as well as ripped shorts.
It is not expected to rule him out of next week’s Tour of Oman.
Stage
1. Andrea Guardini (ITA) Farnese 2hr 44min 06sec,
2. Francesco Chicchi (ITA) at same time,
3. Theo Bos (NED) s.t.,
4. Dominique Rollin (CAN) s.t.,
5. Roger Kluge (GER) s.t.,
6. Denis Galimzyanov (RUS) s.t.,
7. Tomas Vaitkus (LTU) s.t.,
8. Russel Downing (GBR) s.t.,
9. Heinrich Haussler (AUS) s.t.,
10. Micheal Van Staeyen (BEL) s.t.
Selected
17. Mark Renshaw (AUS) s.t., 107. Tom Boonen (BEL) 1:30.
Overall standings
1. Mark Renshaw (AUS) HTC 15hr 31min 04sec,
2. Heinrich Haussler (AUS) at 8s,
3. Daniele Bennati (ITA) 17s,
4. Juan Antonio Flecha (ESP) 26,
5. Roger Hammond (GBR) 38,
6. Jeremy Hunt (GBR) 39,
7. Gabriel Rasch (NOR) 42,
8. Bernhard Eisel (AUT) 1:05,
9. Marcus Burghardt (GER) 1:33,
10. Gert Steegmans (BEL) 1:35
Article: AFP