Velochimp: Astrochimp on Cycling

The Tour of Qatar is the first showdown between Alessandro Petacchi and Tom Boonen. Last year the two had some head to head battles leading up to the first big classic of the year. Milan San-Remo was supposed to be a showdown of the two sprinters, but Boonen’s Quick-Step teammate spoiled the battle with a brilliant late attack to win the Italian Classic.

This year there is not as much fanfare between the two super sprinters. AleJet is coming back from injuries sustained in the Giro and then a broken finger that derailed his fall campaign. Tom Boonen is shaken up by the recent doping allegations against his team director Patrick Lefevre and the doping confession of Johan Museeuw. Tough times for Boonen and he does not even feel like racing as he starts the new season.

The stages:
28/01 - 1a tappa: Corniche de Doha, cronosquadre 6 km
29/01 - 2a tappa: Al Wakra-Comité olympique du Qatar, 135,5 km
30/01 - 3a tappa: Dohat Salwat-Khalifa Stadium, 140 km
31/01 - 4a tappa: Camelodrome-Doha Golf Club, 139,5 km
1/02 - 5a tappa: Al Zubarah-Mesaied, 160,5 km
2/02 - 6a tappa: Sealine Beach Reseort-Doha Corniche, 134 km