The American team Garmin won Monday's second stage of the Tour of Qatar, a 11.3km time-trial at the Lusail motorcycle track. Belgian Tom Boonen of the Omega Pharma-Quick Step, winner of Sunday's first stage, retained the race leader's golden jersey, with American Tyler Farrar second on the same time. Garmin finished the time-trial ahead of Omega Pharma-Quick Step and Sky.
"We're here with some young riders. Second by seven seconds from the machines that is Garmin," said Boonen. "It's really very good. Almost all the world's best sprinters are here. That promises to throw up a good spectacle."
Farrar, ranked second because Boonen won the first stage, added: "Team time-trials are really Garmin's speciality. "They're even our favorite event. We train a lot for them and today we had great legs. I'll obviously give the maximum over the last four stages to claim the golden jersey. But we're at the start of the season. It's my first race and my form is without doubt not yet at its best."
Tuesday sees the riders tackle the 146.5km third stage between Dukhan and Al Gharafa Stadium.
Tour of Qatar Stage 2
1. Garmin (USA) 12:38
2. OmegaPharma-QuickStep (BEL) @ .07
3. Sky (GBR) @ .09
4. Katusha (RUS) @ s.t.
5. Liquigas (ITA) @ .13
6. RadioShack (LUX) @ .14
7. Greenedge (AUS) @ .16
8. BMC (USA) @ s.t.
9. Rabobank (NED) @ .17
10. Lotto (BEL) @ s.t.
General Classification After Stage 2
1. Tom Boonen (BEL) 3:24:07
2. Tyler Farrar (USA) s.t.
3. Johan Van Summeren (BEL) @ .03
4. Ramuna Navardauskas (LIT)
5. Thomas Dekker (NED)
6. Robert Hunter (RSA)
7. Davide Appollonio (ITA) @ .10
8. Francesco Chicchi (ITA) @ s.t.
9. Gert Steegmans (BEL)
10. Guillame Van Keirsbulck (BEL)