Tour of Qatar Stage 1 Report


Favourites: Zabriskie, Castroviejo, Ignatiev, Karpets, Konovalovas

The early leader was Ventoso of Movistar and he was at the top for ages. He was eventually beaten by Russian TT champ Ignatiev


Promising Spanish rider Castroviejo was the next rider to go quickest, beating Ignatiev by two seconds. Behind him on the start ramp is Gazvoda, who rode ridiculously well to an eventual fourth!


Another Movistar rider, Vladimir Karpets, was expected to go well and went second with exactly the same time as his team mate Castroviejo


But there was no surprise at the end of the day as American champion Dave Zabriskie came through to beat the Movistar duo by one second and push Gazvoda off the podium

Stage Winner

Tour of Qatar Stage 2 Report


Favourites: Freire, Ventoso, Galimzyanov, Hutarovich, Pozzato

Today's breakaway contained 13 riders and Pliuschin managed to get in it. The Moldovan has been superb so far this season. The lead got to a maximum of seven minutes before the peloton came to life


With 18km to go, Pliuschin gave it one last go with the peloton catching the break quickly. Nobody else went with him and he settled into his rhythm


As the pace ramped up to try to catch Pliuschin, there was a massive pile up in the main bunch. Riders involved included both Karpets and Castroviejo, who were second and third on GC overnight


But it was over for Alexandre with just under 5km to go as Katusha launched their leadout. A great effort and the best you can really expect in the sprinter's paradise of Qatar


The legendary sprinter, Oscar Freire took the win today and was very happy. Ventoso was the only one who could get near him. Huta and Bozic got sixth and seventh, which is very frustrating

Stage Winner

Tour of Qatar Stage 3 Report


Favourites: Freire, Ventoso, Hutarovich, Galimzyanov, Bozic

Today's break consisted of seven riders, including Kozubek, who bridged the gap after the group had formed


The break was given no chance today, only pulling out four minutes before Katusha and Movistar pulled them back


A brave (stupid) attack from Maaskant came to nothing as Garmin began to realise that not bringing a top sprinter would be a problem in this Tour


As yesterday, Katusha's incredibly strong leadout took the lead with Hutarovich placed nicely on Freire's wheel. Bozic was getting blocked by everybody and could not get to the front at all


But it was to no avail as Freire took a comfortable victory again. Huta followed him all the way but had nothing left to go past him. Vital bonus seconds in the bag though

Stage Winner

Tour of Qatar Stage 4 Report


Favourites: Freire, Ventoso, Hutarovich, Pozzato, Ferrari

Today's breakaway was twelve strong, including stage two hero, Pliuschin, again showing his strength


Yet again as the peloton began to catch the BOTD, Maaskant attacked but he didn't even reach the front group again. He needs to get a new plan


The breakaway was caught one by one until only Pliuschin and one other rider were last to be caught. The Moldovan never gives up


With 9km to go, there was another huge pile-up started by Herrada of Movistar. Four riders were too injured to carry on. They were ninth placed Mikhail Ignatiev, fellow Russian Rovny and two riders from Saur, Poux and Galland


Meanwhile, back at the front, a massive surprise was taking place. No, not really. Freire won again and the only person that could get near him was again Hutarovich. Oscar is absolutely on fire and you would never guess he was 35

Stage Winner

Tour of Qatar Stage 5 Report


Favourites: Freire, Ventoso, Hutarovich, Pozzato, Ferrari

The breakaway had nine riders in it. For us, Kozubek made it in there and picked up all of the bonus seconds, moving him right up into the top ten.


Same as every other stage, Maaskant attacked later on, but this time he was joined by another Dutchman, Reus of United Healthcare. For once, they bridged across to the BOTD.


Eventually the front group split, with Maaskant, Reus and Kozubek all in the new front group of six riders. Unsurprisingly, this group was still brought back with 5km to go.


Katusha vs Movistar again and Hutarovich was on Freire's wheel whilst Bozic was way back being blocked by everybody again. This has not been Bozic's race.


And you'll be surprised to hear that Freire took the win. Huta was just rode clean off Freire's wheel and was swamped in the last 300 metres. Sixth was all he could manage today, but at least he beat Ventoso, meaning he keeps second.

Stage Winner

Tour of Qatar Stage 6 Report


Favourites: Freire, Ventoso, Hutarovich, Pozzato, Bozic

The breakaway only formed with 70km to go on this short stage. Pliuschin was in it again, but as you would expect they had no chance.


Surprisingly, though, it was Movistar who did the work today. Maybe Ventoso felt good or Freire felt bad. Either way, the break was brought back easily once again.


Katusha got their leadout all wrong today and it was Movistar's train that won easily. Unfortunately, that ruled out Huta as he was yet again on Freire's wheel. For once Bozic was up at the front.


Yet Ventoso still couldn't deliver the victory his team worked very hard for as he was pipped on the line by Pozzato. Bozic took 7th with Freire way down in 10th and Hutarovich in 13th.

Stage Winner


Race Winner

Race Favourites
Grega Bole (Skoda - Orlen)
Oscar Gatto (Farnese Vini)
Marco Marcato (Vacansoleil)

Outsiders
Dries Devenyns (Omega Pharma)
Matteo Carrara (Vacansoleil)
Xavier Florencio (Katusha)

Worth a Bet
Davide Rebellin (Miche)
Gabriele Bosisio (Utensilnord)
Daniele Callegarin (Team Type 1)
Emanuele Sella (Androni)
Constantino Zaballa (Miche)
Johnny Hoogerland (Vacansoleil)
Manuel Belletti (AG2R)
Yuri Trofimov (Katusha)
Borut Bozic (Skoda - Orlen)

Skoda -Orlen Team


Full Startlist