By N.D. Prashant/Doha
Dutch rider Ellen Van Dijk of HTC Highroad Women managed to hold on to her overall lead in the third and final stage to clinch the Ladies Tour of Qatar here yesterday.
THE STAR: Winner of the 3rd Ladies Tour of Qatar Ellen Van Dijk of HTC Highroad Women pose with her trophy with HE Sheikha Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani and Qatar Olympic Committe President Sheikh Saud bin Abdulrahman al-Thani
Van Dijk not only retained the golden jersey for winning the overall classification, but also kept the sliver jersey for leading the points tally and the white for being the best young rider. It has to be recalled that Van Dijk had won the white jersey for being the best young rider in the inaugural event of the Ladies Tour here in 2009.
“It was amazing the way team worked today. They just stayed in the group that broke away. This is my first win here and so I’m really, really happy. Yesterday, it was a very important day and today, we were strong and proved we are the best team in the competition. We also won the team classification,” said a jubilant Van Dijk adding that the second stage win turned the tide in their favour.
“In the second stage, we had to make a big difference after a disappointing first day and today we need to stay together and make sure to hold on to the lead. My team did with perfection to seal the victory,” said an overjoyed Van Dijk after the prize distribution ceremony.
CHAMPIONS ALL: HTC Highroad Women team compising of riders Ellen Van Dijk , Charlotte Becker, Emilia Fahlin , Chloe Hosking, Evelyn Stevens and Adriana Visser pose with their trophies after winning the team classification at the Ladies Tour of Qatar Yesterday. Also seen is HE Sheikha Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani and Qatar Olympic Committe President Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman al-Thani. PICTURE: Anas Khalid
The second place in the overall standings went to Van Dijk’s teammate Charlotte Becker of Germany, who was 15 seconds adrift from the former (7h 51’ 04”) after three rounds. Third overall was Iris Slappendel of Garmin-Cervelo, who was 24 seconds off the winner.
“It was nice for me to finish at the third spot. HTC is a strong team and it was the best I could get. For me, it was good because it is my first race and I was never in so good shape in February. I’m now very confident and April is a more important month with all the sprint classics in Europe and my goal is to do well there,” said an elated Slappendel after the race.
In all, 87 riders took off for the 95.5km final stage from the resort Al Dayeen to Doha Corniche and after several attempts, USA’s Megan Guarnier was the first to enjoy a decent break over the pack after 28km. The American entered the final circuit with a slim 10 seconds advantage but she later widened it to 22 seconds. However, she was eventually caught by the chasing pack after 47.5km.
The first intermediate at the third passage on the line was won by Valentina Bastianelli of Vaiano Solaritech ahead of Roxanne Knetemann of Skil-Koga Cycling Team (SKC) and Slappendel of team Garmin-Cervelo. Just before taking on the last six laps after 65.5km, 10 riders broke away from the main pack among which were, Olympic champion Nicole Cooke of SC Mcipollini Giordana (MCG) and Italian Valentina Scandolara of Gauss Team. The leading 10 riders could enjoy a slim 23” advantage over the pack at the second bonus sprint after the sixth passage on the line.
Here, Scandolara got the better of Cooke and Jacquelyn Crowell of USA. The leading pack then pressed further and the gap was widened to 32 seconds with just four laps to go. As the chasing pack inched closer, Cooke and Suzanne De Goede of SKC took off with final 5kms to go. However, their move proved in vain as the pack caught them with 2kms from finish and it was all left for the bunch sprint.
Italian national champion Monia Bacaille of MCG finally showed her sprint prowess here to win the stage ahead of compatriot and World Champion Giorgia Bronzini.
Rochelle Gilmore of Lotto Honda Team, who started off well winning the first stage, had to settle for the third place.