TOTAL DOMINANCE: Mark Cavendish (L) of Omega Pharma-QuickStep celebrates after winning the final stage of the Tour of Qatar. The Briton won his fourth straight stage here yesterday. PICTURE: Anas al-Shamaree
By ND Prashant /Doha
Britain’s Mark Cavendish of Omega Pharma-QuickStep survived a crash and went on the clinch his maiden title at the Tour of Qatar with another authoritative victory in the 116.5km final stage between Sealine Beach Resort and Doha Corniche here yesterday.
The 2011 world champion, who has 23 Tour de France stage wins to his name, beat Belarus’ Yauheni Hutarovich and Holland’s Barry Markus in another absorbing bunch sprint in the final stage.
BMC Racing Team’s Brent Bookwalter and Taylor Phinney finished second and third respectively in the General Classifications. Bookwalter was 25 seconds behind and Phinney was 26 seconds off Cavendish in the final standings. Phinney, for his fine show, emerged as the best young rider. The team title was bagged by BMC Racing Team.
This was the fourth successive stage win for Cavendish, who had the title firmly tucked under his belt going into the final stage with a 15-second lead. “I’m over the moon,” said an elated Cavendish, who had parted ways with Team Sky after the 2012 season to joined Omega Pharma-QuickStep.
The onus was straightaway on Cavendish with the new team as he had to fill Tom Boonen’s shoes. Boonen, who has 20 stage wins, missed out on this season’s action due to injury. The Manxman, however, rose to the challenge and went on to claim his second career title in style but admitted that he was under pressure to deliver.
“Every year it’s been Tom Boonen. It is pretty much guaranteed that the overall winner would be Tom. This time he is injured and the pressure was on me. But my new teammates took good care and looked after me so well,” said Cavendish.
“They had been with me every single time. I’m proud that I could sprint in time for the team and it is the sixth time that the team has won the Tour of Qatar. I’m very very happy,” added Cavendish, who now has eight stage victories here.
Sitting on a 15-second cushion, Cavendish did not need to press hard or take any risk in the final stage. However, he and his team survived a scare just 8km into the race. There was a crash in the peloton and Cavendish hit the ground and so did Bookwalter. It has to be recalled that Cavendish was involved in a similar crash last year, when he was with the Sky team, going for the final sprint on the same stage.
A bruised Cavendish, however, quickly hopped back on his bike and caught up with the pack. The first intermediate sprint at Al Wakrah after 38.5km was won by Phinney ahead of Bernhard Eisel of Sky Team and Guillaume Van Keirsbulck (Bel) Omega Pharma-QuickStep.
The major breakaway happened only after the 40km mark. Five riders Yaroslav Popovych of Radioshack Leopard, David Boucher of FDJ, Wesley Kreder of Vacansoleil-DCM, Isaichev of Katusha Team and Matthias Friedemann of Champion System — made the move and even enjoyed a 20-second lead at one stage.
However, they were quickly caught up by the chasing pack and Team Omega Pharma-QuickStep had almost all their riders in the front.
The second bonus sprint at the fourth crossing of the finish line was claimed by attacking Greg Van Avermaet (BMC) ahead of his team mates Blythe and Phinney.
Several teams tried to trigger breakaway attempts but Team Omega Pharma-QuickStep riders remained in control of the proceedings.
A bunch sprint was inevitable and Cavendish, well placed by his teammates, made the move from the left. With the head held low towards the handle, he powered his way past the finish line in a flash.
RESULTS / STANDINGS
Stage 6
1 Mark Cavendish (GBr) Omega Pharma-Quick-Step Cycling Team 2:24:31
2 Yauheni Hutarovich (Blr) Ag2R La Mondiale ”
3 Barry Markus (Ned) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team ”
4 Adam Blythe (GBr) BMC Racing Team ”
5 Taylor Phinney (USA) BMC Racing Team ”
6 Robert Van Hummel (Ned) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team ”
7 Alexander Kristoff (Nor) Katusha ”
8 Bernhard Eisel (Aut) Sky Procycling ”
9 Nacer Bouhanni (Fra) FDJ ”
10 Guillaume Boivin (Can) Cannondale Pro Cycling ”
Overall Standings
1 Mark Cavendish (GBr) Omega Pharma-Quick-Step 15:55:20
2 Brent Bookwalter (USA) BMC Racing Team 0:00:25
3 Taylor Phinney (USA) BMC Racing Team 0:00:26
4 Adam Blythe (GBr) BMC Racing Team 0:00:30
5 Bernhard Eisel (Aut) Sky Procycling 0:00:32
6 Greg Van Avermaet (Bel) BMC Racing Team ”
7 Michael Schär (Swi) BMC Racing Team 0:00:35
8 E Boasson Hagen (Nor) Sky Procycling 0:00:39
9 Luke Rowe (GBr) Sky Procycling 0:00:40
10 Geraint Thomas (GBr) Sky Procycling ”