Belgium's Tom Boonen, riding for Omega Pharma-Quick Step, won the Tour of Qatar for the fourth time on Friday with Frenchman Arnaud Demare of FDJ negotiating a sprint finish to land the sixth and final stage. Boonen, who also won the race in 2006, 2008 and 2009, timed an overall 15:42:14 to give him a 28-second advantage over US racer Tyler Farrar of Garmin with Spaniard Juan Antonio Flecha of Team Sky third at 33-seconds.
“I’ve never been interested in records,” said Boonen. “However it’s nice to win this race for the fourth time. After the good test in Argentina I wanted to win in Qatar. There were a lot of competitors here but I was also lucky that the route was adapted to my skills. I built my victory in the first stage and in the fourth stage - both were very difficult – then I concentrated on defending myself in the other stages. Today I didn’t want to take any risks, so as not to blow a week’s worth of work. I’m satisfied; this is my first step back to high level cycling. Now it will be important to stay calm and concentrate on fine tuning this conditioning. In Oman I’m going to be racing in support of my teammates, who have been fantastic in this start of 2012. There’s a great atmosphere on the team, I thank all of them for the fantastic job they’ve done for me. It would be a dream to be able to help one of them clinch a personal success.”
The former world champion now heads for the Tour of Oman, starting Tuesday. Demare of FDJ meanwhile held off Russian Denis Galimzyanov and Australian Mark Renshaw as he crossed the line in 2:20:44 following the 120.5 km stage from Sealine Beach Resort to Doha Corniche which brought the final curtain down. Demare, the U-23 level champion last season, won his first pro race stage as the 20-year-old came through in a tight final mass sprint which saw Briton Mark Cavendish fall.
"My teammates, notably Yoann (Offredo) and Mickael (Delage), placed me in ideal conditions in the final couple of kilometers - my legs were flying," said a delighted Demare. "Tom Boonen and Tyler Farrar came to congratulate me - it's an extraordinary feeling. These are riders I admired from watching them on television."
Tour of Qatar Stage 6
1. Arnaud Demare (FRA/FDJ) 2:20:44
2. Denis Galimzyanov (RUS) @ s.t.
3. Mark Renshaw (AUS)
4. Roger Kluge (GER)
5. Alexander Kristoff (NOR)
6. Tyler Farrar (USA)
7. Daniel Oss (ITA)
8. Allan Davis (AUS)
9. Aaron Kemps (AUS)
10. Jens Debusschere (BEL)
Final General Classification
1. Tom Boonen (BEL/Omega-Pharma) 15:42:14
2. Tyler Farrar (USA) @ :28
3. Juan Antonio Flecha (ESP) @ :33
4. Gert Steegmans (BEL) @ :34
5. Tom Veelers (NED) @ 1:00
6. Mark Cavendish (GBR) @ 1:05
7. Fabian Cancellara (SUI) @ 1:06
8. Ramunas Navardauska (LIT) @ 1:09
9. Aidis Kruopis (LIT) @ 1:10
10. Adam Blythe (GBR) @ 1:14