AL KHOR, Qatar, Feb 9, 2012 (AFP) – Belgium’s Tom Boonen, riding for Omega
Pharma-Quick Step, retained the race leader’s gold jersey after Thursday’s
fifth and penultimate stage of the Tour of Qatar won by Briton Mark Cavendish.
Sky rider Cavendish won a sprint from Italy’s Daniel Oss and Slovakian
Peter Sagan at the end of the 160km ride from Camel Race Track to Al Khor.
Boonen pedaled home in 13th spot to retain his overall lead going into
Friday’s final stage, a 120km ride from Sealine Beach Resort to Doha.
Results from the fifth and penultimate
stage of the Tour of Qatar on Thursday:
Stage
1. Mark Cavendish (GBR) 3hr 30min 40sec, 2. Daniel Oss (ITA) same time, 3.
Peter Sagan (SVQ) s.t., 4. John Dengenkolb (GER) s.t., 5. Rudiger Selig (GER)
s.t., 6. Allan Davis (AUS) s.t., 7. Arnaud Demare (FRA) s.t., 8. Andrea
Guardini (ITA) s.t., 9. Denis Galimzyanov (RUS) s.t., 10. Gregory Henderson
(NZL) s.t.
Selected
13. Tom Boonen (BEL) s.t.
50. Philippe Gilbert (BEL) s.t.
Overall standings
1. Tom Boonen (BEL) 13hr 21min 30sec, 2. Tyler Farrar (USA) at 31sec, 3.
Juan Antonio Flecha (ESP) 34, 4. Gert Steegmans (BEL) 36, 5. Bernhard Eisel
(AUT) 45, 6. Tom Veelers (NED) 1:00, 7. Mark Cavendish (GBR) 1:05, 8. Fabian
Cancellara (SUI) 1:06, 9. Ramunas Navardauska (LIT) 1:09, 10. Aidis Kruopis
(LIT) 1:10
Selected
23. Philippe Gilbert (BEL) 2:23.