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. Thursday’s fifth and penultimate stage is a 160km ride from Camel Race Track to Al Khor.
RESULTS:
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.
