DOHA: US racer Brent Bookwalter of the BMC team won Sunday’s opening stage of the Tour of Qatar, seeing off Swiss rivals Martin Elmiger (IAM) and Gregory Rast (RadioShack) in a sprint finish in tricky, windy conditions.
The 28-year-old from Albuquerque edged home for his first professional win after a 145km ride from Katara to Dukhan Beach which saw the riders dogged by Shamal, a strong northerly wind which provided an additional challenge.
British star Mark Cavendish was sixth, riding for new team Omega-Pharma Quick Step having left Sky late last year, after finding the wind threw him out of his rhythm in the early stages, while favored French FDJ sprinter Nacer Bouhanni saw his chances take a knock following two punctures, leaving him 15min adrift.
Monday’s second stage is a 14km team time-trial along Al Rufaa boulevard west of Doha.
Bookwalter rules Tour of Qatar first stage
Bookwalter rules Tour of Qatar first stage
