(From left) Qatar Cycling Federation’s (QCF) president Sheikh Khalid bin Ali al-Thani, QCF CEO Ahmed Abdullah al-Hemaidi, Q-Auto managing director Yann Lassade and QCF director of Sports Operations John Lelangue at a press conference yesterday. PICTURE: Jayaram

 

By Yash Mudgal/Doha


In the absence of defending champion Kirsten Wild, Wiggle-Honda riders Giorgia Bronzini and Chloe Hosking will lead an impressive line-up in the seventh edition of Ladies Tour of Qatar, which will commence today from Museum of Islamic Art.
Italian sprinter and two-time world champion Bronzini along with Dutch star Wild, who has won four of the previous six editions of the race, are the only two riders who have won multiple stages of the race in the past.
Wild is not taking part this year in the four-day event — the highest-ranking UCI stage race of the women’s calendar of the season — as she is concentrating on track events.
Bronzini has taken three stages in the desert race, and finished second in the first two editions, while Australian Hosking is also a former stage winner, with two overall podiums to her credit.
Both riders have shown great form in the Australian summer races, with victories in the Mitchelton Bay Crits and the Santos Women’s Tour, and both are focused on the race which is traditionally dominated by strong riders in the wind.
“Qatar is always a huge objective for me. I love to race here, I love the wind, I love echelons,” in-form Hosking told Gulf Times. “I finished second overall here in 2013 and third overall in 2014. If I’m in the right position I would love to go for a GC result this time. The racing here is about being consistent, making the front group every day and picking up seconds whenever you can.
“We’ve got such a strong team that we could go for anyone. It’s exciting to be lining up with such a dynamic squad which has Giorgia. I think we can have a serious impact on the race.”
Wild’s countrywoman Ellen Van Dijk and German Judith Arndt own the two other victories of the Tour. Van Dijk is also returning with team Boels-Dolmans, which also has World Cup overall and Commonwealth Games winner Lizzie Armitstead.
Qatar Cycling Federation’s (QCF) director of Sports Operations John Lelangue, said, Wild’s absence is making the race a little bit different.
“We are on the edge of a pretty open race. The wind is strong and it will surely make the difference as Wild is not here to defend her title,” Lelangue said.
“We have four stages covering a total distance of 389.5km and two bonus sprints per stage and bonus at every stage finish makes it very challenging,” he said.
Addressing a press conference on the eve of the inaugural stage of the tour QCF president Sheikh Khalid bin Ali al-Thani said this year’s race would be very interesting.
“I think start of stage three from Souq Waqif will be quite interesting. It is a very popular area of the city and we feel it is important to show this historical place to the people. We are taking races to the busy place with people around to make it more interesting,” Sheikh Khalid said.
“Wind will again play an important role again and I think in Wild’s absence, those who will handle the wind well will be successful,” he added.
Talking about increasing the number of stages, he said there is no such plan as of now.“We started the race with three stages and later increased it to four. It will remain at four, at least until next year,” he said.
With one year to go before the World Road Championships come to Qatar for the first time, 90 riders (15 teams of 6) will be present at the Tour. This race is also important for many riders as they have signed up for new teams and they are excited and waiting for the season to start.
Orica-AIS, the best team from the last edition, has Emma Johansson, world number one in 2013, and Valentina Scandolara, who is in form after winning the 2015 Santos Women’s Tour in January.
World time trial champion Lisa Brennauer will also participate, along with her newly-formed Velocio-SRAM team.
Last year’s stage two winner Amy Pieters — the only rider to win a stage in 2014 other than Wild — will lead Team Liv-Plantur with Lucy Garner, while American Shelley Olds will lead the Bigla team.

LADIES TOUR OF QATAR
(February 3 to 6)
Stage 1 (98.5km): Museum of Islamic Art to Dukhan Beach
Stage 2 (112.5km): Al Zubarah Fort to Madinat Al Shamal
Stage 3 (93.5km): Souq Waqif to Al Khor Corniche
Stage 4 (85km): Sealine Beach Resort to Doha Corniche
Total Prize Money: Euro 21,630
Winner’s purse: Euro 1,200