2014 Tour of Qatar, 9th - 14th February (2.HC)

[Leonardus]

****ing Unbelievable. Races in those countries shouldn't be allowed unless there is some decent coverage.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Boonen beats Greipel

So Boonen becoming Steppers super sprinter again?

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Greipel too much in the wind, poor lead out too.

 

[trevim]

Boonen still has a great sprint after hard and fast days. It's like Worlds Ports Classic all over again when he beat Greipel in a 50 km/h stage.
http://www.cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=23308

 

[smoger]

I wonder what does Boonen think about new MSR route.
His form looks sharp enough for a shot at it.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Boonen still has a great sprint after hard and fast days. It's like Worlds Ports Classic all over again when he beat Greipel in a 50 km/h stage.
http://www.cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=23308

Yea, pace really "kills" lots of riders.

Top 10 today:

1 BOONEN Tom [www.procyclingstats.com] Omega Pharma - Quick-Step 30 2:22:34
2 GREIPEL André Lotto Belisol 18 ,,
3 MARKUS Barry Belkin-Pro Cycling Team 12 ,,
4 KRUOPIS Aidis Orica GreenEDGE 7 ,,
5 BENNETT Sam [www.procyclingstats.com] Team NetApp – Endura 4 ,,
6 GUARNIERI Jacopo Astana Pro Team 3 ,,
7 DéMARE Arnaud FDJ.fr 2 ,,
8 PELUCCHI Matteo IAM Cycling 1 ,,
9 VAN STAEYEN Michael Topsport Vlaanderen – Baloise ,,
10 EISEL Bernhard [www.procyclingstats.com] Team Sky ,,

 

[Flamin]

Damnit, they finished already? Thought it would be 2pm.

Did I miss something? Or just a sprint?

 

[theyoungest]

I wonder what does Boonen think about new MSR route.
His form looks sharp enough for a shot at it.

The Poggio doesn't suit Boonen, I doubt it will be better with an extra climb before it.

 

[Der Effe]

is Boom back in the peloton?

Apparently not.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Poor Boom. Stupid flat tire. These are the races he has got to do well in. Because no way in hell is he going to do anything in the big classics

 

[Miburo]

Poor Boom. Stupid flat tire. These are the races he has got to do well in. Because no way in hell is he going to do anything in the big classics

He did pretty well in roubaix 2 years ago.

 

[Pentacycle]

Poor Boom. Stupid flat tire. These are the races he has got to do well in. Because no way in hell is he going to do anything in the big classics

And no way in hell would he be satisfied with a top five in Qatar if he fails in the classics.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Apparently not.

So still 5 steppers in top 10.

Too bad about Boom after his solid TT yesterday. Sh!t happens.

 

[willbick]

another good placing there by super pikey sam bennett

 

[manafana]

bonnen outsprints greipel now thats impressive, didnt even do that back in 2012, surely disapointment if he doesnt take another monument this season.

nice to see the IAM and Topsport lads in top 10

 

[smoger]

The Poggio doesn't suit Boonen, I doubt it will be better with an extra climb before it.

Poggio, by itself, shouldn't be a problem. Boonen was able to pass it in the front group before.
The question is - how does he feel about the new climb?
Even if it's too difficult (as it looks), the race can develop in a way that it doesn't affect it at all.

 

[happytramp]

another good placing there by super pikey sam bennett

.

I'd say he's got a shot a M-SR some day. Could manage a top 10 this year since NetApp have an invite and he's off to Oman next so should build a decent bit of form.

 

[LaFlorecita]

WOW Boonen beating Greipel super cool

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

a quick calculation gave me an average of 56.8 km/h for this stage

 

[trevim]

a quick calculation gave me an average of 56.8 km/h for this stage

That's just a sick speed!

 

[dicanio_michael]

a quick calculation gave me an average of 56.8 km/h for this stage

WOW now I know why I missed the race.

 

[Jancouver]

WOW Boonen beating Greipel super cool

Question is, is Boonen really that good or is Greipel missing his top speed?

 

[classicomano]

OPQS's spring season is gonna make Gewiss '94 look like pussies.

 

[happychappy]

Greipel too much in the wind, poor lead out too.

Greipel all muscle no brain.

Poor Boom. Stupid flat tire. These are the races he has got to do well in. Because no way in hell is he going to do anything in the big classics

Well I always hold out hope for Boom in the classics.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Greipel all muscle no brain.

The sad thing is he never seem to use those muscle much. Just think what he could do pushing people around a bit. Soft heart, the Gorilla has.