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Tour of Qatar
Preview |
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Traditionally a race for the
sprinters made up for five flat stages and one team time
trial, although it has in the past included a prologue. The
flat stages give the sprinters and opportunity to test early
season form, while the open roads have proven good preparation
for the classics specialists.
For 2014 while the traditional sprint stages remain the team
time trial has been replaced with a 10.9km individual time
trial. In the past the gaps after the TTT have been relatively
small leaving numerous sprinters in contention for the
overall. However the ITT changes the race for the overall
victory.
That said cross winds could cause splits so riders will need
to ensure they don't lose time on other stages.
There are time bonuses at intermediate sprints (3, 2 & 1) and
at the finish (10, 6 and 4). The time trial will be ridden on
normal road bikes. With five stage with up to 16 bonus second
available sprinters have an opportunity to climb back up the
general classification if they can limit their losses in the
ITT.
Stage 1 Al Wakra - Dukhan Beach
A flat stage with only 5 changes of direction all stage.
Likely to finish in a bunch sprint. Last years opening stage
also finished at Dukhan Beach and saw a group of 3 hold off
the chasing peloton to take the victory.
Names to watch: Tom Boonen, Andy Fenn, Andre Greipel, Theo
Bos, Barry Markus, Arnaud Demare, Chris Sutton, Andrea
Guardini, Alexander Kristoff, Elia Viviani, Heinrich Haussler,
Leigh Howard, Aidis Kruopis, Daniele Bennati, Sam Bennett,
Robert Forster and Lucas Haedo.
Stage 2 Camel Race Track - Al Khor Corniche
Flat again with 12 changes of direction. Turning in and out of
potential crosswinds could break the race up. Last year stage
4 ran from Camel Race Track to Al Khor Corniche with Mark
Cavendish taking the win.
Names to watch: Tom Boonen, Andy Fenn, Andre Greipel, Theo
Bos, Barry Markus, Arnaud Demare, Chris Sutton, Andrea
Guardini, Alexander Kristoff, Elia Viviani, Heinrich Haussler,
Leigh Howard, Aidis Kruopis, Daniele Bennati, Sam Bennett,
Robert Forster and Lucas Haedo.
Stage 3 Lusail Circuit (ITT)
Stage 3 features a 10.9km out and back time trial. On flat
roads with potentially strong winds it is a stage for the real
time trial specialist. While not overly long it is long enough
to create some large time gaps and should create gaps large
enough to take the sprinters out of overall contention. At the
Dubai Tour we saw Taylor Phinney win the time trial (10.1km)
with a big enough lead to take the overall victory despite
hillier terrain on other stages.
Names to watch: Tom Boonen, Niki Terpstra, Fabian Cancellara,
Jesse Sergent, Philippe Gilbert, Lars Boom, Lieuwe Westra, Alexander
Kristoff, Martin Elmiger, Michael Hepburn, Brett Lancaster,
Jens Mouris, Svein Tuft and Gatis Smukulis.
Stage 4 Dukhan - Mesaieed
With the time trial out of the way some riders now out of GC
contention may be given more room but with the flat roads
expect another bunch sprint. Crosswinds are again likely to
feature with six changes of direction over the stage.
Cavendish took the victory in Mesaieed last year.
Names to watch: Tom Boonen, Andy Fenn, Andre Greipel, Theo
Bos, Barry Markus, Arnaud Demare, Chris Sutton, Andrea
Guardini, Alexander Kristoff, Elia Viviani, Heinrich Haussler,
Leigh Howard, Aidis Kruopis, Daniele Bennati, Sam Bennett,
Robert Forster and Lucas Haedo.
Stage 5 Al Zubara Fort - Madinat Al Shamal
Another bunch sprint is likely. 4 main changes of direction on
the stage before two laps of a short finishing circuit.
Cavendish was the winner here last year.
Names to watch: Tom Boonen, Andy Fenn, Andre Greipel, Theo
Bos, Barry Markus, Arnaud Demare, Chris Sutton, Andrea
Guardini, Alexander Kristoff, Elia Viviani, Heinrich Haussler,
Leigh Howard, Aidis Kruopis, Daniele Bennati, Sam Bennett,
Robert Forster and Lucas Haedo.
Stage 6 Sealine Beach Resort - Doha Corniche
The race hardly changes direction all day as it follows roads
near the coast to Doha before 10 laps of a short finishing
circuit. Cavendish won here last year to seal his first Tour
of Qatar overall victory.
Names to watch: Tom Boonen, Andy Fenn, Andre Greipel, Theo
Bos, Barry Markus, Arnaud Demare, Chris Sutton, Andrea
Guardini, Alexander Kristoff, Elia Viviani, Heinrich Haussler,
Leigh Howard, Aidis Kruopis, Daniele Bennati, Sam Bennett,
Robert Forster and Lucas Haedo.
The Contenders
General Classification
Michael Hepburn
Generally thought of as a track and prologue specialist
Hepburn announced at the end of 2013 he would target his first
full road season in 2014. Hepburn backed this up taking a
commanding victory over Luke Durbridge at the Australian
National Championship in January. A flat 10km time trial suits
his strengths as an ex track rider and he will be looking to
continue his strong start to the season. His time on the track
has also given him a strong sprint giving him the opportunity
to chase bonus seconds. Backed by a strong team including
other GC contenders Svein Tuft and Jens Mouris as well as Mat
Hayman, Jens Keukeleire and Brett Lancaster. Unlike most of
the field alread has a strong Australian summer of racing in
his legs.
Svein Tuft
Since joining Orica-GreenEDGE the eight time National Champion
and World Championship Silver medallist has become a strong
force in the World Tour. Has taken five ITT victories over the
past 2 years including at the Eneco Tour a result that saw him
finish 7th overall. Tuft's big engine should see him perform
well in the time trial and is known for being able to spend
time pulling the peloton along. Back by a strong
Orica-AIS team including Michael Hepburn, Jens Mouris, Mat
Hayman, Jens Keukeleire and Brett Lancaster. Making his debut
for 2014.
Fabian Cancellara
Did the double of Ronde van Vlaanderen and Paris-Roubaix again
in 2013 and will hope to repeat that performance this tear.
Started 2014 at the Dubai Tour where he could only manage 5th
in the time trial behind winner Taylor Phinney. With his big
targets including the major classics and an hour record
attempt, Cancellara is yet to hit top form. The win may not be
in his legs yet but a strong performance is very likely.
Tom Boonen
The additional of the ITT is a big disadvantage for the man
who has made the Tour of Qatar his own. Boonen is certainly
capable of a strong TT performance, as she showed with 7th in
the 19.2km ITT at the Tour de San Luis. Boonen will lose time
on stage 3 but there is 16 seconds worth of bonus available on
the five other stages. Up against purse sprinters such as
Greipel, Viviani, Bos, Howard etc it will be hard but not
impossible for Boonen to regain lost time.
Martin Elmiger
Made the move to the Swiss IAM squad ahead of 2013 and
produced some of his best results. Took a stage and the
overall win at Tour du Limousin, second in the road race and
time trial at the National Championships. His most significant
result came with 2nd at the Tour of Britain including 4th in
the ITT, won by Bradley Wiggins. His first race of the season
so his form is unknown.
Niki Terpstra
A strong 2013 season saw Terpstra take 3rd at Driedaagse van
West-Vlaanderen, Driedaagse De Panne-Koksijde and
Paris-Roubaix. While his Omega Pharma-QuickStep team goes in
with Tom Boonen as leader, the addition of the ITT depending
on form might make Terpstra a stronger GC contender. Like many
others his first race of the season.
Lars Boom
Won the Eneco Tour in 2012 and Ster ZLM Toer in 2013 thanks to
strong performances in time trials. The inclusion of a time
trial boosts Boom's chances of taking another overall stage
race victory. Not the strongest time trialist but is generally
very consistent especially in those between 10-20 kilometres.
If Boom is close to the lead after the TT expect to see him
use his attacking style to chase bonus seconds in the final
stages.
Lieuwe Westra
The two time Dutch Champion is a consistent time trialist but
is yet to break through for a big TT victory. 2nd in time
trials at Tour of California, 3rd Etoile de Bessèges and
Driedaagse De Panne-Koksijde, 4th Volta ao Algarve and Tour de
Romandie in 2013. Made his start for Astana at the Tour Down
Under finished in 83rd position. Will provide crucial support
for Nibali during his Tour challenge so don't expect him to be
on top form yet.
Philippe Gilbert
After a stellar 2011 season Gilbert has had a quiet two years
taking outside winning the World Championships and three
stages of the Vuelta. The former Belgium time trial Champion
is strong over shorter distances but with the pressure on to
perform in the coming classics won’t be at his best.
Other names to watch: Alexander Kristoff, Brett Lancaster, Greg van Avermaet,
Patrick Gretsch, Jesse Sergent, Jetse Bol
and Ian Stannard.
If riders like Andre Greipel, Elia Viviani, Leigh Howard,
Heinrich Haussler and Daniele Bennati can limit their losses
in the time trial the bonus seconds in the sprints could see
them fighting for a spot on the overall podium.
Sprinters
Andre Greipel
Made his traditional start to the year at the Tour Down Under.
Picked up two stage victories and second on another. Has one
of the best leadout trains in the business but is without Adam
Hansen and Greg Henderson who is still recovering from injury.
Theo Bos
Took 12 victories in 2013 although six of those came at the
Tour of Hainan against limited competition. One of his most
significant results of the year came at the Ster ZLM Toer
where he beat both Cavendish and Greipel.
Elia Viviani
Had a slow start to 2013 but had a strong finish with five
victories in the closing months, also took three podium
finishes at the Giro. Started his season at the Tour Down
Under taking 3rd on stage 4.
Arnaud Demare
One of the rising stars of French sprinting took eight
victories last year including the Ride London Classic. With
Nacer Bouhanni on the same team and already have a win this
year expect to see a highly motivated Demare.
Leigh Howard
Took two early victories last year but a crash at the Giro
ruined the middle of his season. Started to find form in the
final few months and was a crucial part of Michael Matthews
Vuelta stage wins. Has beaten Mark Cavendish in the past and
the hard flat routes suit him.
Aidis Kruopis
In the final year of his contract with Orica-GreenEDGE, took 4
victories in his first year but only managed one in 2013. Was
strong at the Tour of Qatar last year with two podium finishes
and 15th overall.
Tom Boonen
Boonen has been the dominant rider at the Tour of Qatar with
20 stage victories and 4 overall titles to his name. Is no
longer as fast as he once was but still packs a fast finish
especially after a hard stage.
Heinrich Haussler
Since his horrible crash at the Tour de Suisse Haussler has
been unable to find his form of old. Moved to IAM ahead of
last season but a crash at the Tour de Suisse stopped him
racing for several months. A great classics rider and in the
right conditions could use the crosswinds to increase his
chances.
Alexander Kristoff
Took Bronze in the Olympic Road Race in 2012 and had a stellar
2013 season with 7 wins. Also finished top 10 at Ronde van
Vlaanderen and Paris-Roubaix. Don't expect him to be in top
form yet but hard stages will suit him more than some others.
Sam Bennett
In his first race as a professional Sam Bennett will be eager
to prove himself. A strong start to the year could score him a
Tour de France start. Took an impressive stage victory at the
Tour of Britain last year ahead of World Tour riders.
Other names to watch: Andy Fenn, Barry Markus, Chris Sutton,
Andrea Guardini, Daniele Bennati, Robert
Forster and Lucas Haedo. |
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