Lusail (Qatar), February 3, 2011 (AFP) – The Netherlands Ellen van Dijk (HTC) has won the second stage of the Tour of Qatar cycling tour Thursday in Lusail, where she has captured the leader’s golden jersey at the expense of Australian rider Rochelle Gilmore.

After a stage of 104.5 kilometers from Doha, made extremely difficult by strong winds often in their face, Van Dijk won the sprint in front of Ellen Rhodes and Adriana Visser.

Van Dijk has dedicated her victory to her teammate Carla Swart of South Africa, who died at age 23 during training two weeks ago.

On Friday, the third and last stage connects Dayeen Al Corniche in Doha
(92.5 km).

Stage 2:
1. Ellen van Dijk (HTC / NED), the 104.5 km in 3 h 6:51
(Average: 33.556 km / h)
2. Alexis Rhodes (AUS) st
3. Adriana Visser (NED) mt
4. Charlotte Becker (GER) st
5. Loes Gunnewijk (NED) mt

Overall Ranking:
1. Ellen van Dijk (NED / HTC) in 5 h 25:42
2. Charlotte Becker (GER) 15.
3. Iris Slappendel (NED) at 21.
4. Adriana Visser (NED) at 24.
5. Alexis Rhodes (AUS) 26.