World champion Tom Boonen (Quick Step) maintained his perfect start to the Tour of Qatar with victory in Wednesday's 160km third stage.

Giving it the gas

Photo: Graham Watson

The 25-year-old Belgian once again beat Germany's Erik Zabel (Milram) and Matti Breschel (CSC) of Denmark to add to his wins in the first two stages.

Once again the stage was marked by blustery winds and an early break, as Bart Van Heule (Chocolade Jacques-T Interim), René Weissinger (Skil-Shimano) and Geert Omloop (Unibet) took off at 12km.

Horner sprang to life on today's stage, too

Photo: Graham Watson

Twenty-four kilometers later, they were joined by a counterattacking bunch of six: Chris Horner (Davitamon-Lotto), Sven Krauss (Gerolsteiner), Tristan Valentin (Cofidis), Christian Knees (Milram), Lilian Jegou (Française des Jeux) and Rik Reinerink (Skil-Shimano).

But the pack was unimpressed and cruised along as the gap gradually grew from about three minutes to eight at the first intermediate sprint in Messaied, won by Krauss ahead of Valentin and Reinerink.

Neither was Quick Step

Photo: Graham Watson

That was as far ahead as the leaders would get. With Quick Step and CSC marshaling the pursuit, the pack broke into thirds and the gap began dwindling.

The front group of chasers caught the nine leaders at 102km. Nine kilometers later, Clerc took the second intermediate sprint in Ramdat Rashed ahead of Zabel and Breschel.

Zabel was in the hunt once again

Photo: Graham Watson

At 117km, a 17-man break formed, but lasted only 10km. The final shot was fired by Tim Klinger (Team Wiesenhof), who escaped with 12km to go only to be caught 4km from the finish.

Once again, Boonen’s team controlled the finale, launching the world champion toward his third consecutive win. The Belgian retained the golden and silver jerseys, while Breschel captured the blue jersey.

Another Belgian and his French pal seem to be enjoying the racing

Photo: Graham Watson

"It was really hard over the last four kilometers into the wind," said Boonen.

Top 10 results
Stage
1. Tom Boonen (B), Quick Step, 160km in 3:34:50
2. Erik Zabel (G), Milram, same time
3. Mickael Breschel (Den), CSC, s.t.
4. Paride Grillo (I), Panararia Ceramiche-Navigare, s.t.
5. Robert Forster (G), Gerolsteiner, s.t.
6. Steven de Jongh (Ned), s.t.
7. Wouter Van Mechelen (B), Chocolade Jacques-T Interim. s.t.
8. Nico Eeckhout (B), Eeckhout, s.t.
9. Stuart O'Grady (Aus), CSC, s.t.
10. Bernhard Eisel (A), Française des Jeux, all same time

Overall (after three stages)
1. Tom Boonen (B), Quick Step, 10:02:00
2. Erik Zabel (G), Milram, at 0:12
3. Aurelien Clerc (Swi), Phonak, at 0:18
4. Robert Hunter (RSA), Phonak, at 0:26
5. Matti Breschel (Den), CSC, at 0:27
6. Steven De Jongh (Ned), Quick Step, s.t.
7. Nicolas Jalabert (F), Phonak, at 0:29
8. Fabrizio Guidi (I), Phonak, at 0:30
9. Nick Ingels (B), Davitamon-Lotto, s.t.
10. Aart Vierhouten (Ned), Skil-Shimano, s.t.