Feb 8, 2012 - Belgium's Tom Boonen, riding for Omega Pharma-Quick Step, won the fourth stage of the Tour of Qatar on Wednesday, a 147km ride from Al Thakira to Madinat Al Shamal, as he tightened his grip on the race leadership.
Boonen won a sprint finish to see off Dutchman Tom Veelers and Swiss Fabian Cancellara.
The race was defined by a series of echelons that broke up the group and left some of the day’s favorites by the wayside. Omega Pharma – Quick-Step remained consistently in the first positions of the peloton to avoid eventual breakups of their group. At about five kilometres from the arrival, following an acceleration by Cancellara, a group of 6 riders remained in the lead: Cancellara, Flecha, Veelers and three men from Omega Pharma – Quick-Step: Boonen, Maes and Steegmans.
In the last two kilometers, first Maes and then Steegmans took the situation in hand. At 400 metres Cancellara launched his sprint but Boonen easily came around the Swiss rider.
“This is an important step towards the general classification,” said Boonen. “The more difficult the race conditions, the more the riders who are in top shape are emerging. Today our team had a perfect race. Once again Steegmans carried me perfectly. I have great faith in Gert and again today we proved our worth.”
Boonen now leads the general classification with a 31’’ advantage over Tyler Farrar and 34’’ on Juan Antonio Flecha.
“It won’t be easy to defend the jersey in these next few days but I’m lucky to have a great team with me,” continued Boonen. “Personally, I feel good and I’m looking forward to the last stages with confidence, even if in the desert flat tyres and echelons are part of the course.”
“Today the team did a great job and Boonen capitalised on everyone’s efforts” Sports Director Wilfried Peeters said. “Too bad that Vandenbergh and Van Keirsbulck got flats. The next two stages are going to be a battle. With a little luck we’ll try to defend our leadership.”
Thursday's fifth and penultimate stage is a 160km ride from Camel Race Track to Al Khor.
Stage 4:
1. Tom Boonen (BEL), 3hr 03min 14sec
2. Tom Veelers (NED) same time
3. Fabian Cancellara (SUI) s.t.
4. Juan Antonio Flecha (ESP) s.t.
5. Gert Steegmans (BEL) at 4sec
6. Nikolas Maes (BEL) 11
7. Yoann Offredo (FRA) 14
8. Bernhard Eisel (AUT) s.t.
9. Tyler Farrar (USA) s.t.
10. Ian Stannard (GBR) 36
Overall classification:
1. Tom Boonen (BEL) 9hr 50min 50sec
2. Tyler Farrar (USA) at 31sec
3. Juan Antonio Flecha (ESP) 34
4. Gert Steegmans (BEL) 36
5. Bernhard Eisel (AUT) 45
6. Tom Veelers (NED) 1:00
7. Fabian Cancellara (SUI) 1:06
8. Ramunas Navardauska (LTU) 1:09
9. Aidis Kruopis (LTU) 1:10
10. Adam Blythe (GBR) 1:14