Norway’s Alexander Kristoff claimed stage two of the Tour of Qatar on Tuesday after holding off the challenge of Mark Cavendish in a sprint finish
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Norway’s Alexander Kristoff claimed stage two of the Tour of Qatar on Tuesday after holding off the challenge of Mark Cavendish in a sprint finish.
The 135km stage was almost a dry run for October’s UCI Road World Championships that will also be held in Qatar.
After looping north of Doha the main bunch had to complete four laps of the circuit in the Pearl area of the city, which will feature in the road race.
A mass sprint was expected to complete the days action – but it turned out to be a mass crash.
With 400 metres to the line a touch of wheels brought numerous riders to the ground.
With the peloton battered and scattered only the leading seven riders disputed the sprint for stage honours.
Kristoff opened his sprint early and had just enough power to hold Cavendish at bay – although a photo finish was needed to decided the winner.