DOHA, Feb 10, 2012 – Belgium’s Tom Boonen, riding for Omega
Pharma-Quick Step, won the Tour of Qatar for the fourth time on Friday with
Frenchman Arnaud Demare of FDJ negotiating a sprint finish to land the sixth
and final stage.
Boonen, who also won the race in 2006, 2008 and 2009, timed an overall 15hr
42min 14sec to give him a 28sec advantage over US racer Tyler Farrar of Garmin
with Spaniard Juan Antonio Flecha of Team Sky third at 33sec.
A beaming Boonen said: “This augurs well for the rest of the season – I
arrived in Qatar in fine fettle. I’m really on the right track to have a good
classics campaign.”
The former world champion now heads for the Tour of Oman, starting Tuesday.
Demare of FDJ meanwhile held off Russian Denis Galimzyanov and Australian
Mark Renshaw as he crossed the line in 2hr 20min 44sec following the 120.5 km
stage from Sealine Beach Resort to Doha Corniche which brought the final
curtain down.
Demare, under23 level champion last season, won his first pro race stage as
the 20-year-old came through in a tight final mass sprint which saw Briton
Mark Cavendish fall.
“My teamates, notably Yoann (Offredo) and Mickael (Delage), placed me in
ideal conditions in the final couple of kilometres – my legs were flying,”
said a delighted Demare.
“Tom Boonen and Tyler Farrar came to congratulate me – it’s an
extraordinary feeling. These are riders I admired from watching them on
television.”
Results from the final day of the Tour of Qatar
on Friday, a 120.5km ride from Sealine Beach Resort to Doha Corniche:
1. Arnaud Demare (FRA/FDJ) 2hr 20min 44sec
2. Denis Galimzyanov (RUS) s.t.
3. Mark Renshaw (AUS) s.t.
4. Roger Kluge (GER) s.t.
5. Alexander Kristoff (NOR) s.t.
6. Tyler Farrar (USA) s.t.
7. Daniel Oss (ITA) s.t.
8. Allan Davis (AUS) s.t.
9. Aaron Kemps (AUS) s.t.
10. Jens Debusschere (BEL) s.t.
Overall
1. Tom Boonen (BEL/Omega-Pharma) 15hr 42min 14sec
2. Tyler Farrar (USA) at 28
3. Juan Antonio Flecha (ESP) 33
4. Gert Steegmans (BEL) 34
5. Tom Veelers (NED) 1:00
6. Mark Cavendish (GBR) 1:05
7. Fabian Cancellara (SUI) 1:06
8. Ramunas Navardauska (LIT) 1:09
9. Aidis Kruopis (LIT) 1:10
10. Adam Blythe (GBR) 1:14