Dutch rider Karsten Kroon (centre) of Saxo Tinkoff team crashes during the third stage of the Tour of Qatar held between Al Wakra and Mesaieed yesterday. RIGHT: Brent Bookwalter of the US after wearing the yellow jersey. Qatar Cycling Federation (QCF) official Nasser Al Kaabi is at right.
BY RIZWAN REHMAT
DOHA: British cyclist Mark Cavendish yesterday brought delight in the Omega Pharma Quick-Step camp by winning stage three of the Tour of Qatar but American rider Brent Bookwalter managed to retain the leader’s yellow jersey following a chaotic finish in Mesaieed.
Cavendish, known for his explosive sprints, produced a trademark slick finish to bag his third stage win in the desert in a time of 3hrs 14mins 05secs.
Bookwalter, who was the overnight leader after winning stage one on Sunday, retained his position to lead the Tour of Qatar at the halfway stage.
Cavendish pipped Barry Markus (Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team) and Aidis Kruopis (Orica GreenEdge) to the finish line after the riders had completed a distance of 143kms.
“It was quite a long finish. It was pretty chaotic in the end. We lost our leadout man with 2kms to go. It just became chaotic,” Cavendish said.
““Anything can happen in this race. You’ve just got to take every day as it comes,” Cavendish added.
A crash 18km into the stage involved approximately 20 riders, including Karsten Kroon (Saxo-Tinkoff), who was later taken to the hospital, Elia Viviani (Cannondale), and Taylor Phinney (BMC Racing).
Despite the crash, Viviani and Phinney finished the stage that started from Al Wakra.
Cavendish said he had no option but to press the accelerator earlier than planned.
“With 800m or 700m to go, more guys came and joined the group. I had to go at 350 to go, so that was that,” the Briton said.
“I am really happy with the guys. They fought at every corner. I am really happy about that,” he said. Cavendish refused to speculate his performance in the remaining three stages.
“Anything can happen in Qatar. I am sprinter and I am not guy who can make it every time,” Cavendish said.
“I am not saying it (winning) is out of the question but we will take one day a time,” he said. “We’ve got to see what happens.”
The British cycling star said he was not thinking about winning, rather taking one step at a time.
“I am not thinking too much ahead. I am just trying to stay in shape and do well until the Tour de France. Hopefully I will be successful at most races and yes I am happy about my form,” he said.
“I don’t know how strong I am right now but it is okay since I am winning bike races (laughs),” Cavendish said. “I am happy with that.”
Bookwalter echoed Cavendish’s sentiments about the end.
“It was a pretty complex end to the stage. There was a pretty bad crash today and one of my team-mates (Taylor) Phinney was hit. It was what you see in Qatar, a fast race,” the American said.
“We still have three stages to go. Anything can happen. There are some good sprinters here. We had concerns in the crash but the whole team did an incredible job.
“The young guys were great. I am just humble and proud that my team-mates made it and we’ll go again (today),” Boolwalter said.
When asked about BMC Racing Team, Bookwalter said: “The team is in a great position (to win). The five guys that are there are the ones who showed today that they are strong. They are doing a great job in a support role. We will look at the results in the night and then finalise our plans.”
Cavendish now lies just 8 seconds off the lead.
Bookwalter tipped Cavendish as the race favourite.
“Despite ending in a sprint finish it was a dynamic race with groups coming and going and then a crash that involved my team-mate Taylor Phinney. Cavendish is the race favourite here. There are three stages to go and all three could end in sprints.”
The Tour of Qatar continues today with the 160-km fourth stage starting from Camel Race Track (160km).
Time bonuses of 10, six and four seconds will be on offer at the finish opposite Al Khor Corniche.
THE PENINSULA
