By checking the startlist, the Oceanian teams might be favoured over the Asians actually. New Zealand with top favourite Sam Bewley should be the strongest rider and big favourite here. Though the Aussies have the stronger team, where basically everyone is able to win in a sprint finish. Their best chances though have Howard and former World Champion Goss, who both have shown the needed skills on a course like this.
For the Asians Japan around Itami or the strong Malaysian sprinter squad around Salleh have best chances while China, Kazakhstan or HongKong alongside the remaining countries need a perfect day really.
Four riders decide for a long trip in the breakaway. Seeing the strong wind, this must be some tough riding. Khalifa Chaaban Carling Kolahdouz
With 170km still to go the Kiwis around Bewley test the wind for the first time. Once Sergent started to accelerate the peloton started to feel the side wind heavily. A long line with several riders soon to be dropped.
And there we go. Lots of echelons and plenty groups of 10-30 riders only. Unfortunate for New Zealand also some of their riders missed out such as Scully. Similar for Australia with Nelson being one of their best sprinters finding himself now in a later group.
Once in the city of Doha though the pace dropped a bit as it`s still 150km to go. All riders made it back into the peloton but the chance to create echelons is there and it surely will be tried again later. Also several riders just spent their energy early already.
With 40km the peloton is still mainly together and the gap to the break is at 90s only.
One rider from Sri Lanka tries to bridge to them. Chatarunga.
It`s New Zealand back in the lead though after saving their energy for most of the last 100km. Atkins at the front catching the Sri Lankan just 5km later and now we see couple echelons again.
Only about 60 riders in the first group and once again Nelson being the best sprinter dropped. This time also Anuawar and Manan for Malaysia, who could have been a great leadout for Salleh.
The high pace made it impossible for the break to win today. They are caught with 31km to go and it seems as if the group of now 62 riders would deliver the winner.
More and more riders now struggle at the back of the peloton. This includes several leadout riders such as Cameron Meyer or Awang. Also Goss at the end of the group. So it might be Leigh Howard, who leads the Aussie squad today.
Due to losing several leadout riders, the pace dropped again and many groups make it back to them. Not the smartest thing to do really.
One rider who is known for his attacking style is not happy to see such slow pace and decides to attack with 11km to go. It`s Delgerbayar.
Though with 5km to go also his attempt is over. The sprinter teams try to create trains or actually the wind might have disturbed it, so it`s basically one long line, where Malaysia is the only team with 2 1/2 riders.
Marzuki Salleh Bewley Nepomnyachsniy Park Howard Itami Chen
The Aussie captain being on his own today, which is quite a shock seeing their lineup. Similar for Bewley a few positions ahead, who probably couldn`t sit in a better place.
Still Marzuki leading out with 2,7km to go. Further behind Itami won the fight against Howard for Park`s wheel. Those 8 with a small gap and probably one of those will win.
Salleh knows, that going into the wind too early is not good. Though Marzuki is tired by now with 1,2km to go.
Nepomnyachsniy and Howard realize this first and move towards the right opening the sprint.
Bad news for Bewley, who was first blocked and now has to go the long way.
Meanwhile Chen and Itami also pass him, while Salleh seems to struggle to accelerate.
Howard with a comfortable gap and the Aussie seems to take it. Behind Nepo still fighting the quicker Chen, while Itami/Bewley/Salleh not with their best day.
Indeed. Easy win for Howard, who wins with 2 bike lengths. Both Chen and Nepo though were too long in the wind and struggled on the last meters. Itami up to 2nd ahead of Salleh. Surprisingly Bewley only in 4th after not being able to move around the Malaysian today.
Nepomnyachsniy and Chen following next ahead of Park.
Khalifa
Chaaban
Carling
Kolahdouz
Chatarunga.
Delgerbayar.
Marzuki
Bewley
Nepomnyachsniy
Park
Howard
Itami
Chen
