Rochelle rocks, claims first stage in Qatar

By N.D. Prashant/Doha

Rochelle Gilmore poses after winning the first stage of the Ladies Tour of Qatar yesterday. At right is Qatar Cycling Federation president Sheikh Khalid bin Ali al-Thani

Australia’s Rochelle Gilmore of team Lotto Honda displayed tremendous strength and proficiency to steal the show in the stage one of the 3rd edition of the Ladies’ Tour of Qatar here yesterday.
Gilmore powered her way to victory in the 94.5km race from Camel Race Track to the city of Dukhan in a time of 2h18’53”. Gilmore for her effort was rewarded with the yellow jersey for the overall leader and the silver jersey for leading the points tally.
World champion and hot favourite Giorgia Bronzini of Italy finished five seconds behind and had to be content with the second spot, while Australia’s Chloe Hosking of team HTC Highroad Women stood third. Hosking being the best young rider of the race will also be wearing the white jersey for today’s second stage.
"I just got ahead and won the stage just in the last 50 meters. The energy and speed was key to my victory today. I’m very happy with a good finish. Conditions here were same as same it is back home in Australia. So that really helped and team gave a good support in setting up for the strong finish,” said an elated Gilmore.Despite the loss Bronzini was confident of making amends.
"I should have won but couldn’t finish because of the cramped position at the finish and that helped Gilmore to surge ahead. The five second gap is not too much. I hope I can do better tomorrow in the sprints and make up on time,” said Bronzini.
The Italian had won two stages in the first edition of the Tour and one in the second but on both occasions failed to win the overall title. Both times defending champion Kirsten Wild had been Bronzini’s nemesis and the former’s absence had raised hopes for the Italian this season. However, again the multistage winner in Qatar will have to do all the catching up. 
In all the 89 riders took off this morning under clear skies. The pack remained bunched all the way to the first intermediate sprint after at 39km at Sub Station and here Bronzini, known for her sprinting prowess, got the better of Rochelle Gilmore and De Goede of team Skil-Koga Cycling.
Thereafter, the peleton continued to stay together all the way to the second intermediate sprint at Al Jemailiya after 54km. Here Australia’s Kirsty Broun proved better among the pack and finished ahead of Gilmore and Netherlands’ Martine Bras.
The first breakaway attempt was made a few minutes later by Sweden’s Veronica Andreasson of  Lotto Honda Team. However, though she enjoyed a 13second lead over the pack it did not last long. She was quickly caught by the chasing pack after three kilometers. Later Valentina Bastianelli of Vaiano Solaritech also made a breakaway attempt with 25km from the finish. However, her effort too was in vain. The pack remained bunched with five kilometres to go. However, taking advantage of an uphill route heading towards Dukhan, a group of 12 riders including all favourites made their move. They made it to the tap with a 15” lead over the main pack and here Gilmore had enough in her legs to power ahead of the field.
Today’s 104.5km second stage starts from Museum of Islamic Art at 11.30am and ends at Lusail by 2.35pm. Both intermediate sprints will be held at Umm Suwaiya Farm. The first after 41.5 kms and second one on their way back after 57.5kms.