BY RIZWAN REHMAT
DOHA: Gathering momentum like a steam engine, British cyclist Mark Cavendish yesterday won stage five of the Tour of Qatar to retain the leader’s yellow jersey.
It was Cavendish’s third successive stage win in Qatar where he his overall tally now stands at seven.
The 27-year-old, who now rides for Omega Pharma Quick-Step, utilised his past experience of racing in the desert to win the penultimate stage - which started from Al Zubara Fort to Madinat Al Shamal.
It was the same spot where Cavendish won his first stage in Qatar four years ago in 2009.
Cavendish, who grabbed the yellow jersey from Brent Bookwalter of the US on Wednesday, leads over the BMR Racing Team rival by a massive 15 seconds.
The Briton, who has picked up 23 stage wins on the Tour de France, a record for a sprinter and fourth all-time best, edged out Yauheni Hutarovich (Ag2R La Mondiale) and Aidis Kruopis (Orica-GreenEdge) to the top spot.
After an eventful day with several breakaway attempts, Cavendish was beautifully led out by his Omega Pharma team-mates on the final straight, where he out-sprinted Hutarovich and Kruopis for his third win of the event.
Relying on his explosive speed near the finish line in Madinat Al Shamal, Cavendish was provided a perfect leadout push with team-mate Niki Terpstra dropping the sprinter off inside the final 250 meters.
Terpstra, the 28-year-old Dutch, orchestrated an earlier break along Bernhard Eisel (Team Sky) and Taylor Phinney (Team BMC) but with 16 kilometres to go, Cavendish and his team moved in for the kill.
Inside the closing 7 kilometres, BMC - the leaders on the first two stages - took charge of the peloton, with GreenEdge, FDJ and Liquigas all attempting to assert their dominance as well.
However QuickStep were in complete control again with just three kilometres to go.
“It was tough riding the whole day. The last two days have been very taxing. The way we rode today was incredible. There was a mild wind but as you know, I saved my best for the last,” Cavendish said.
“There were some problems since we knew it was going to be stressful today. In the final stretch we clicked together and got our confidence going together. I am really, really happy for that.
When reminded of his 15-second lead, Cavendish ruled out any premature celebrations.
“I don’t know. We are through today. It is a big day as well. I had everything there you know. I think this win is just enough for us going into the last stage,” he said.
The Briton was quick to thank his team-mates for their support.
“From start to end & the sense of pride I felt, as they rode & rode, can’t be described. Another win. Thanks guys,” Cavendish said on his Twitter page later in the day.
By the splendid castle of Al Zubarah on the western coast of Qatar, the 136 remaining riders of the Tour took off for the penultimate stage of this 12th edition: a 154-km ride, ending by two laps of a circuit around Madinat Al Shamal.
After a very fast start, Edvald Boasson Hagen (SKY) was the first to break away after 21 kilometres. He was rapidly caught by Marco Haller (KAT) and their lead reached a maximum 1’20 at km 28 before both were finally caught at km 45.
After having covered an impressive distance of 49.2 kms during the first hour, it was then Bernhard Eisel (SKY) and Phinney’s (BMC) turn to give it a go but their attacking effort was vain.
At kilometre 64, five men managed to pull away from the pack: Martin Elmiger (IAM), Sergey Lagutin (VCD), Pengda Jiao (CSS), Andrea Di Corrado (BAR) and Kohei Uchima (JPN).
At the first intermediate sprint (km 88.5) won by Elmiger, ahead of Di Corrado and Lagutin, the front men could only enjoy a maximum 2’50 lead.
The pace remained extremely fast, 49.85 km/h after two hours, as the peloton moved closer to the escapees.
After heading north to the final circuit, the pack broke up into several groups with Cavendish (OPQ), Bookwalter and Phinney (BMC) in a first bunch of 52 men and Boasson Hagen, Andrea Guardini (AST) and Barry Markus (VCD) in a chasing group.
After the front riders were finally caught by the golden jersey group at km 105, the pack bunched up together again five kilometres later.
At the second bonus sprint at the first crossing of the line on the final circuit (km 127.5), Cavendish conquered more precious seconds beating Eisel and Phinney to the line.
Shortly after, Phinney, EIsel and Terpstra (OPQ) powered away from the pack. With the Omega Pharma Quickstep riders chasing, they were to be caught at km 137 after having had a 30” lead.
Under the control of the sprinters’ teams, the pack remained bunched all the way to the finish. Perfectly led out by Terpstra, Cavendish claimed yet another success, his third of the race.
Today’s final stage starts from Sealine Beach Resort and ends on Doha Corniche around 3:15pm.
THE PENINSULA
