THIS WEEK IN PRO CYCLING
Prologue TTT: Quick Step pips Slipstream in Qatar TTT
Slipstream-Chipotle came within two seconds of a Hollywood ending in Sunday’s opening team time trial at the seventh Tour of Qatar in the first race of what will be an ambitious 2008 campaign.
Anchored by big engines Magnus Backstedt and David Millar, Australia’s Chris Sutton crossed the line first for the argyle gang in 6 minutes, 37 seconds, and looked to have the win in the bag with only defending champion Quick Step still on the short but fast 6km out-and-back course along Doha’s palm-lined corniche.
Tom Boonen urged along his troops with a guttural scream 200 meters to the line that drove home their winning advantage. Team worker Matteo Tosatto snagged the leader’s jersey when Quick Step seized what Slipstream-Chipotle thought was theirs.
“We were really motivated today because this was our first day of the season,” said Sutton, who donned the best young rider’s jersey as consolation. “We hoped to win, but the most important thing is that we showed we’re here to race, not just muck around.”
As Sutton took his place on the uniquely Qatari podium that included sari-clad podium girls and pillows, his Slipstream-Chipotle teammates raucously cheered him on.
“It was awesome today. It’s nice to get that first ride underneath us,” said Backstedt, who pulled up after towing hard in the final kilometer. “We have to be happy with the result. It’s nice to leave our mark on the race.”
Slipstream-Chipotle is hoping Sunday’s fine effort is a harbinger for good things to come in the coming season.
With an ambitious new program that includes more than a dozen new faces, the team is hoping to earn a bid to this summer’s Tour de France.
A strong start in the six-day Tour of Qatar, organized with the assistance of the Societe du Tour de France, will send the right kind of message.
Late starters Liquigas and Lampre-Fondital couldn’t come close to Slipstream-Chipotle’s time, finishing 6 and 7 seconds off the pace, respectively. Skil-Shimano posted an early fast time that stood for third at five seconds back while BMC – riding with six Americans – stopped the clock at 13 seconds off the pace in 12th place.
Some 17 teams started at three-minute intervals as some curious Qatari fans and a good dose of VIPs showed up to watch the proceedings.
The national Doha team was 16th at 26 seconds off the pace while the Iranian national team was last at 30 seconds slower.
While Slipstream-Chipotle might have wanted it more, Quick Step simply had the better legs.
Six of their eight starters roared up the final finishing straight to stock the clock in 6:35 with an average speed of 54.683kph under partly cloudy skies and temperatures in the low 70s.
As agreed before the stage, the 34-year-old Tosatto crossed the line first to snag the leader’s jersey, but even he admits that it’s Boonen who will step center stage in Monday’s second stage.
“I know I cannot win the race. I am only here to work,” said Tosatto, a man who clearly knows his place. “We’re here for Tom. It’s nice for me to have this leader’s jersey, but everyone knows Tom is here to win stages.”
A contingent of five Belgian journalists is here to follow “Tornado Tom’s” every move.
Those moves put him as the favorite in Monday’s road stage across the sandy heart of the Qatari peninsula.
A satisfied Boonen – a winner of 11 Qatari stages and the overall title in 2006 – said the team-time-trial effort serves as a barometer of form.
“We always try to do good here in Qatar. We did some hard training in Spain and Italy and this confirms that the work paid off,” said Boonen, who rode especially hard because his father is in the hospital. “It’s good for the attitude when we show we’re in good condition.”
With two hot sprints and 10 seconds of bonuses to the winner, all eyes will be on Boonen in Monday’s 137.5km second stage from Al Zubarah to Doha Golf Club to see just how good that condition really is.
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