Garmin-Barracuda confirmed their credentials against the clock with victory in the team time trial at the Tour of Qatar.
Boonen holds on to race lead
Garmin-Barracuda confirmed their credentials against the clock with victory in the team time trial at the Tour of Qatar.
The American squad set a strong time of 12 minutes and 38 seconds over the 11.3-kilometre course and held off a number of top contenders to take the win.
Despite a time nine seconds quicker than anyone else Tyler Farrar narrowly missed out on being promoted to the gold leader’s jersey.
A last-ditch effort from overnight leader Tom Boonen and his Omega Pharma – Quickstep squad saw the Belgian cling on to the lead by the skin of his teeth after a time seven seconds slower.
Rounding out the podium places were Team Sky, with Mark Cavendish recovering well from his early-race illness to lead the squad home a further two seconds back.
The British squad’s third place came under close threat from the Russian Katusha squad who finished only a few tenths down, while Liquigas completed the top five on the outskirts of the Lusail racing circuit.
Heavyweight challenges from the likes of RadioShack-Nissan, GreenEDGE and Rabobank failed to materialise in what was the first chance of the season to see which squads were the most dialled in.
Desert drag race
The ‘TTT’ provided a unique challenge with all teams taking to the start on regular road bikes and helmets for logistical reasons.
There were a number of roundabouts to negotiate on the course made up largely of circuit access roads with wind less of a factor than previously expected.
Garmin-Barracuda were the first of the big squads to set a time and it proved too good to beat as one by one their rivals fell short.
RadioShack-Nissan had to be content with a time 14 seconds back (6th), while rouleur-heavy GreenEDGE were two seconds further adrift in seventh.
Attention now turns to stage three and another likely sprint finish where Boonen may have a recovering Cavendish to contend with on the line.
