February 4/15 9:53 am - Tour of Qatar: Stage 2

Posted by Editoress on 02/4/15
 

The race was expected to be one of the most spectacular stages of the Ladies’ Tour of Qatar and stage 2 indeed met expectations. Right from the opening kilometres, the favourites of the event made the best use of the wind to power off the front. The in titial break group of 16 riders dropped down to 6 in the final moments, Elen Van Dijk claimed her second stage win in the peninsula after attacking in the last kilometre. The Dutch rider also took the Golden Jersey that she had won back in 2011.

The Al Zubara Fort, a traditional venue, since the ladies first started competing in Qatar, is situated on the north-western coast, welcomed the start of the second stage of the Tour. A spectacular site for what promised to be an eventful day with the wind picking up in the early hours of the afternoon. The 85 remaining riders took off at 1:40 for the longest stage of the Tour: 112.5kms heading north to Madinat Al Shamal.

At kilometre 7, the pack, influenced by the cross wind, broke up into several groups. While the Golden Jersey, Annalisa Cucinotta (Ale Cipollini), unable to keep up with the pace was dropped, a group of 16 riders pulled away. Among the front group were Amy Pieters (Team Liv - Plantur) winner in Madinat last year, Chloe Hosking (Wiggle Honda), Emma Johansson (Orica - AIS), Elizabeth Armitstead, Eleonora Van Dijk  (both Boels Dolmans Cycling Team), Lucinda Brand (Rabo Liv Women Cycling Team) and Trixi Worrack (Velocio - SRAM). Their advantage rapidly reached 50s at km 12 and continued increasing.

After a first loop around Madinat Al Shamal, the lead group crossed the finish line for the first time with a 2:55 lead. with four laps of a small circuit remaining to be covered. The leaders  then made it to the first intermediate sprint (km 72) with a 3:55 advantage and were no longer be worried about the chasing bunch. That sprint was claimed by Hosking ahead of Marta Tagliaferro (Ale Cipollini) and Johansson. Another decisive move occurred after 79 kilometres as six ladies attacked and pulled away: Hosking, Longo Borghini (both Wiggle Honda), Johansson  Armitstead, Van Dijk and Worrack. At the third crossing of the line, the 6 escapees could enjoy a 26s lead.

The second bonus sprint (4th crossing, km 99) was the scene of another intense battle: Armitstead away with 3 precious seconds ahead of Johansson and Hosking, while the cloeset group remained 1:35 adrift. In the final 13.4-km lap, despite an early solo attempt from Van Dijk, the leaders stayed bunched.

Counting on the presence of her team mate Armitstead, Elen Van Dijk gave it another go just after the final kilometre mark. Making the best of her impressive power, the Dutch rider would never be caught and made it solo to the line. She claimed her second ever stage success in Qatar with a 3s advantage over Worrack and Armitstead. Winner of the Tour of Qatar back in 2011, Van Dijk captures the overall leader’s Golden Jersey with a slim 4s lead over Armitstead. The silver jersey also changes shoulders and goes to Trixi Worrack while Italian Beatrice Bartelloni claims the Pearl White jersey for the best young rider.

Report courtesy ASO

Results from the second stage in Qatar

Previous stage results

Stage 1