Hoping to start our continental season in the way we started our UWT season in the Middle East.
We will tackle both Qatar and Oman, but not with the same squads.
Boasson-Hagan will be in Qatar, but Hushovd will be in Oman.
They will be our leaders in these racers.
Hushovd will use this to prepare for the Omloop, our first sponsor goal, and first cobbles.
Riders;
Edvald Boasson Hagen
Alexander Kristoff
Michael Morkov
Kasper Jebjerg
Fredrik Kessiakoff
Nikola Aistrup
Anders Linden
Characterized by wind and heat, the Tour of Qatar is not the most exciting of races, but a great early season form builder.
Stage 1
2.5km prologue, which happens so fast it was impossible to get a decent picture. Saga (LIQ) took the win, with Boasson-Hagen second on the same time. Zabriskie completed the top 3
Stage 2
Aistrup was in the BotD, which held 7 riders. Easily pulled back with 15km to go, it was a sprint finish. Kristoff lead-out Boasson Hagen who just took it on the line from Guardini (FAR) and Davis (AST)
Stage 3
Lampre controled the stage, allowing no breaks of more than 1'00 to win. The Lampre train was unstopable, giving Petacchi an easy win, with B-H 2nd and Rojas (MOV) 3rd.
Stage 4
Aistrup was in the days break of 5. But again Lampre were always in control. Apart from the sprint, the lead-out fell apart and B-H capitalised with the win, Viviani 2nd and Dean (GRM) 3rd
Stage 5
Lampre were better than HTC ever could be today. Blowing apart all the competition. Kristoff couldn't hold position and B-H had to sprint from 200m behind to begin with. Petacchi was lead-out perfectly and took another stage win, with Guardini a strong 2nd, and Rojas 3rd
Stage 6
A podium would secure the GC for B-H, but Lampre would do everything to stop that. They again dominated the head of the peloton, and Petacchi was looking good for an easy win. But B-H was on his wheel all the way to 2nd place, with Davis 3rd
(Unfortunatly my game crashed before the results page, thus i cant post a full list, but i do have the top 3)
General Classification;
1. Edvald Boasson-Hagen
2. Petacchi
3. Guardini
