February 04, 2016 – After a fantastic start to the season including victory at the Tour Down Under and the national time-trial title, 34-year old Katrin Garfoot conquered stage 2 of the Ladies Tour of Qatar. The Australian made the best of an extremely eventful day to not only clinch her first success in Qatar, after a final solo effort, but also to claim the overall leader’s Golden Jersey. This second day of the event will be one Kirsten Wild will want to forget: a broken chain followed by a crash saw her hopes of winning a fifth crown fade away.

Under a cloudy sky and fairly mild temperatures, the 90 riders of the Ladies Tour of Qatar took off at 12:30 for stage 2 of the event: a 120-km ride from the splendid Sheikh Faysal Museum all the way to the Al Khor Corniche. After a first attempt at kilometre 3, Swedish rider Alexandra Nessmar (LWW) managed to break free from the pack 8 kms later and was rapidly joined by Chinese Yue Bai (GPC). Both ladies enjoyed a maximum 2’20 advantage at km 39 before seeing the pack move closer.

They reached the first intermediate sprint, won by Bai, with a 35” lead, but were eventually caught a kilometre later. That’s precisely when the action really started between the top contenders of the race. Indeed, making the best of the crosswind a group of 11 ladies powered away, while poor Golden Jersey Kirsten Wild (HTP) was left stranded with a broken chain. At the front were the likes of Chloe Hosking (WHT) and Marta Tagliaferro (ALE), the best placed riders in the GC.

After having a 15” lead the front group was caught by 15 other ladies at km 60. Meanwhile Wild remained 2’30 adrift, losing almost all hopes of keeping her leadership. The leading 26 continued their progression. At the second bonus sprint (km 92) won by Shelley Olds (CPC) ahead of Hosking and Gracie Elvin (OGE), they had a 1’35 advantage over the first chasing group and 2’45 over the golden jersey pack. To make things even worst, Wild suffered a crash but still managed to remain in the main peloton.

Eventually at km 102, 10 riders took off at the front including Hosking, Longo Borghini (WHT), Pieters (WHT), Van Dijk, Kasper (DLT), Worrack, Cromwell, Guarischi (LPR), Elvin and Garfoot (OGE). Their lead reached 48” with 10kms to go and even 1’15, five kilometres from the line. Moving closer to the finish in Al Khor, four riders made a decisive move: Pieters, Kasper, Worrack and Garfoot. Not chased by their former group companions, working as perfect teammates, they would enjoy a 50” lead with 2 kilometers to go.

Just before the final kilometre, Katrin Garfoot managed the perfect attack and powered off. The Australian would never be caught and she victoriously crossed the finish line with a 13” gap over Worrack and Pieters. Meanwhile the Hosking group made it to the finish with a 58” deficit. Clinching her first ever success in Qatar, Garfoot captures the overall lead with an interesting 17” advantage over Worrack and 19” over Pieters. Wild remains the points classification leader and will tomorrow leave her golden jersey to wear the silver one. The new best young rider of the event is now Dutch rider Anouska Koster.

Stage 3 – Al Zubarah Fort to Madinat Al Shamal – 112km
A year after her last stage win, already at Madinat Al Shamal, Ellen Van Dijk made the best of her time-trialling skills to conquer her third success in Qatar. The Dutch rider, part of a breakaway group that took off as soon as the first few kilometres of a windswept day, powered away in the last moments of the race. She was never to be caught and triumphantly crossed the line on her own, clear of Kirsten Wild and Lauretta Hanson. The golden jersey changes shoulders and goes to Germany’s Trixi Worrack.

A nightmare for many, a fantastic opportunity for others: as expected the wind showed up on the Ladies Tour of Qatar for the queen stage of the event, the loop around Madinat Al Shamal. 87 riders gathered together for the start of the 112-km race by the splendid Al Zubarah Fort, first ever UNESCO World heritage site in Qatar.

With the wind blowing hard from the north-west, the action started as soon as the very first kilometres of racing. Indeed, at km 2, 13 ladies powered away led by stage 1 winner and five-time winner of the Tour, Kirsten Wild (HPU). Eager to hit back after suffering both a broken chain and a crash yesterday, the Dutch woman, wearing the points silver jersey, made the best of the conditions, taking with her the likes of Ellen Van Dijk (DLT), Trixi Worrack, Romy Kasper (LPR), Gracie Elvin (OGE), Shelley Olds (CPC) and best young rider, Anouska Koster (RBW). Trapped behind, golden jersey, Katrin Garfoot (OGE) reached km 5 with a 50s deficit.

The gap carried on increasing on the way to the circuit around Madinat and reached a maximum 2’50 at km 50 between the front group of 12 that had lost French rider Jeuland, and a pack including Garfoot, and title contenders Amy Pieters and Chloe Hosking (WHT). At the first passage on the line, struggling against the strong headwind, the leaders saw their advantage drop down to 2s. The first intermediate sprint of the day, at the second passage on the line (km 72) was claimed by Elvin ahead of Koster and Hanson (AUS), while the front group could still enjoy a 1’55” advantage.

The gap carried on dropping but the front ladies continued their strong efforts. At the fourth passage on the line (km 99), the leaders’ advantage had dropped to 55s as Hanson captured the second intermediate sprint ahead of Van Dijk and Wild. Moments later, with just under a lap to go, Gracie Elvin took off on her own for a long courageous effort. The Australian reached the final 10-km mark with a slim 10s lead. She was eventually caught at km 108.

It was still looking good for the front group, enjoying a 45s advantage with 2kms to go. Like a year ago, at almost the exact same place, Ellen Van Dijk powered away. The 2013 World time-trial champion managed to stay clear of her chasers and victoriously crossed the finish line with a 7s lead over Kirsten Wild and Lauretta Hanson, second and third on the day. After claiming the overall event back in 2011, Van Dijk captures her third stage success in Qatar.

Fifth of the day’s race, Trixi Worrack who had finished second yesterday, conquers the overall lead and the golden jersey going with it. With one stage to go, the German has a 17” lead over Romy Kasper and 31” over Van Dijk. Kirsten Wild keeps command of the points classification (silver jersey) while Australia’s Hanson claims the white pearl jersey for the best young rider of the event.

Results

Stage 2
1. Katrin Garfoot (Aus) Orica-GreenEdge 3:07:13
2. Trixi Worrack (Ger) Canyon SRAM Racing 00:13
3. Amy Pieters (Ned) Wiggle High5
4. Romy Kasper (Ger) Boels Dolmans Cyclingteam
5. Chloe Hosking (Aus) Wiggle High5 00:58
6. Eleonora Van Dijk (Ned) Boels Dolmans Cyclingteam
7. Barbara Guarischi (Ita) Canyon SRAM Racing
8. Elisa Longo Borghini (Ita) Wiggle High5
9. Gracie Elvin (Aus) Orica-GreenEdge
10. Tiffany Cromwell (Aus) Canyon SRAM Racing
11. Floortje Mackaij (Ned) Team Liv-Plantur 01:44
12. Shelley Olds (USA) Cylance Pro Cycling
13. Lizzie Williams (Aus) Orica-GreenEdge
14. Anouska Koster (Ned) Raboliv Women Cycling Team
15. Monique Van De Ree (Ned) Lares-Waowdeals Women Cycling Team
16. Marta Tagliaferro (Ita) Ale’ Cipollini
17. Sarah Roy (Aus) Orica-GreenEdge
18. Lisa Brennauer (Ger) Canyon SRAM Racing
19. Lauretta Hanson (Aus) Australia 01:48
20. Shara Gillow (Aus) Raboliv Women Cycling Team 01:50
21. Marta Bastianelli (Ita) Ale’ Cipollini
22. Eileen Roe (Gbr) Lares-Waowdeals Women Cycling Team
23. Julia Soek (Ned) Team Liv-Plantur
24. Jeanne Korevaar (Ned) Raboliv Women Cycling Team
25. Lucinda Brand (Ned) Raboliv Women Cycling Team
26. Roxanne Knetemann (Ned) Raboliv Women Cycling Team
27. Leah Kirchmann (Can) Team Liv-Plantur 02:47
28. Iris Slappendel (Ned) UnitedHealthcare Professional Cycling Team
29. Katarzyna Pawlowska (Pol) Boels Dolmans Cyclingteam
30. Lauren Kitchen (Aus) Hitec Products
31. Chantal Blaak (Ned) Boels Dolmans Cyclingteam
32. Annemiek Van Vleuten (Ned) Orica-GreenEdge
33. Arianna Fidanza (Ita) Italy 03:51
34. Eugénie Duval (Fra) France
35. Ilaria Sanguineti (Ita) Italy
36. Moniek Tenniglo (Ned) Raboliv Women Cycling Team
37. Anna Trevisi (Ita) Ale’ Cipollini
38. Maria Vittoria Sperotto (Ita) Italy
39. Wan Tong Wang (Chn) China-Chongming-Liv-Champion System
40. Emma Johansson (Swe) Wiggle High5
41. Yixian Pu (Chn) China-Chongming-Liv-Champion System
42. Chloe Mc Conville (Aus) Orica-GreenEdge
43. Demi De Jong (Ned) Boels Dolmans Cyclingteam
44. Christine Majerus (Lux) Boels Dolmans Cyclingteam
45. Yue Bai (Chn) China-Chongming-Liv-Champion System
46. Sara Mustonen (Swe) Team Liv-Plantur
47. Danielle King (Gbr) Wiggle High5
48. Lauren Tamayo (USA) UnitedHealthcare Professional Cycling Team
49. Malgorzata Jasinska (Pol) Ale’ Cipollini
50. Charlotte Becker (Ger) Hitec Products
51. Qialon Chen (Chn) China-Chongming-Liv-Champion System
52. Elise Delzenne (Fra) France
53. Coryn Rivera (USA) UnitedHealthcare Professional Cycling Team
54. Hayley Simmonds (Gbr) UnitedHealthcare Professional Cycling Team
55. Annie Ewart (Can) UnitedHealthcare Professional Cycling Team
56. Julie Leth (Den) Hitec Products
57. Lotte Van Hoek (Ned) Lares-Waowdeals Women Cycling Team
58. Emilie Moberg (Nor) Hitec Products
59. Shannon Malseed (Aus) Australia
60. Roxane Fournier (Fra) France
61. Elena Cecchini (Ita) Canyon SRAM Racing
62. Kyara Stijns (Ned) Team Liv-Plantur
63. Claudia Cretti (Ita) Italy
64. Amy Roberts (Gbr) Wiggle High5
65. Xue Sun (Chn) China-Chongming-Liv-Champion System
66. Valentina Scandolara (Ita) Cylance Pro Cycling
67. Rachele Barbieri (Ita) Cylance Pro Cyclng
68. Molly Weaver (Gbr) Team Liv-Plantur
69. Sheyla Gutierrez Ruiz (Esp) Cylance Pro Cycling
70. Xiu Jie Jiang (Chn) China-Chongming-Liv-Champion System
71. Annalisa Cucinotta (Ita) Ale’ Cipollini
72. Kirsten Wild (Ned) Hitec Products
73. Dalia Muccioli (Ita) Ale’ Cipollini
74. Pascale Jeuland (Fra) France
75. Susanna Zorzi (Ita) Italy
76. Anna Stricker (Ita) Italy 03:59
77. Louisa Lobigs (Aus) Australia 11:29
78. Jessica Mundy (Aus) Australia
79. Diana Penuela Martinez (Col) UnitedHealthcare Professional Cycling Team
80. Jenelle Crooks (Aus) Australia
81. Mieke Kroeger (Ger) Canyon SRAM Racing
82. Kimberley Wells (Aus) Australia
83. Alison Tetrick (USA) Cylance Pro Cycling 17:03
84. Jesse Vandenbulcke (Bel) Lares-Waowdeals Women Cycling Team
85. Fanny Riberot (Fra) France 25:45
86. Coralie Demay (Fra) France
87. Shana Van Glabeke (Bel) Lares-Waowdeals Women Cycling Team 28:03
88. Alexandra Nessmar (Swe) Lares-Waowdeals Women Cycling Team
DNF Doris Schweizer (Sui) Cylance Pro Cycling
DNF Cecilie Gotaas Johnsen (Nor) Hitec Products

Stage 3
1. Ellen Van Dijk (Ned) Boels Dolmans Cyclingteam 2:48:56
2. Kirsten Wild (Ned) Hitec Products 0:00:07
3. Lauretta Hanson (Aus) Australia
4. Anouska Koster (Ned) Raboliv Women Cycling Team
5. Trixi Worrack (Ger) Canyon SRAM Racing 0:00:08
6. Gracie Elvin (Aus) Orica-GreenEdge 0:00:11
7. Tiffany Cromwell (Aus) Canyon SRAM Racing 0:00:13
8. Romy Kasper (Ger) Boels Dolmans Cyclingteam 0:00:19
9. Shelley Olds (USA) Cylance Pro Cycling 0:00:24
10. Christine Majerus (Lux) Boels Dolmans Cyclingteam 0:00:45
11. Marta Bastianelli (Ita) Ale’ Cipollini 0:00:59
12. Lucinda Brand (Ned) Raboliv Women Cycling Team
13. Katarzyna Pawlowska (Pol) Boels Dolmans Cyclingteam
14. Katrin Garfoot (Aus) Orica-GreenEdge
15. Monique Van De Ree (Ned) Lares-Waowdeals Women Cycling Team
16. Amy Pieters (Ned) Wiggle High5
17. Shara Gillow (Aus) Raboliv Women Cycling Team
18. Lauren Kitchen (Aus) Hitec Products
19. Chantal Blaak (Ned) Boels Dolmans Cyclingteam
20. Marta Tagliaferro (Ita) Ale’ Cipollini
21. Moniek Tenniglo (Ned) Raboliv Women Cycling Team 0:01:03
22. Malgorzata Jasinska (Pol) Ale’ Cipollini 0:01:05
23. Emma Johansson (Swe) Wiggle High5
24. Lizzie Williams (Aus) Orica-GreenEdge
25. Julie Leth (Den) Hitec Products
26. Sara Mustonen (Swe) Team Liv-Plantur
27. Jeanne Korevaar (Ned) Raboliv Women Cycling Team
28. Floortje Mackaij (Ned) Team Liv-Plantur
29. Iris Slappendel (Ned) UnitedHealthcare Professional Cycling Team
30. Elena Cecchini (Ita) Canyon SRAM Racing
31. Anna Stricker (Ita) Italy
32. Jessica Mundy (Aus) Australia
33. Chloe Hosking (Aus) Wiggle High5
34. Annie Ewart (Can) UnitedHealthcare Professional Cycling Team
35. Barbara Guarischi (Ita) Canyon SRAM Racing 0:01:10
36. Leah Kirchmann (Can) Team Liv-Plantur 0:01:22
37. Lisa Brennauer (Ger) Canyon SRAM Racing 0:01:23
38. Sarah Roy (Aus) Orica-GreenEdge 0:01:32
39. Julia Soek (Ned) Team Liv-Plantur 0:01:55
40. Elisa Longo Borghini (Ita) Wiggle High5
41. Eileen Roe (Gbr) Lares-Waowdeals Women Cycling Team 0:13:40
42. Kyara Stijns (Ned) Team Liv-Plantur
43. Xue Sun (Chn) China-Chongming-Liv-Champion System
44. Wan Tong Wang (Chn) China-Chongming-Liv-Champion System
45. Yue Bai (Chn) China-Chongming-Liv-Champion System
46. Ilaria Sanguineti (Ita) Italy
47. Valentina Scandolara (Ita) Cylance Pro Cycling
48. Charlotte Becker (Ger) Hitec Products
49. Anna Trevisi (Ita) Ale’ Cipollini
50. Emilie Moberg (Nor) Hitec Products
51. Claudia Cretti (Ita) Italy
52. Susanna Zorzi (Ita) Italy
53. Mieke Kroeger (Ger) Canyon SRAM Racing
54. Yixian Pu (Chn) China-Chongming-Liv-Champion System
55. Chloe Mc Conville (Aus) Orica-GreenEdge
56. Lauren Tamayo (USA) UnitedHealthcare Professional Cycling Team
57. Roxane Fournier (Fra) France
58. Coryn Rivera (USA) UnitedHealthcare Professional Cycling Team
59. Annemiek Van Vleuten (Ned) Orica-GreenEdge
60. Shannon Malseed (Aus) Australia
61. Xiu Jie Jiang (Chn) China-Chongming-Liv-Champion System
62. Pascale Jeuland (Fra) France
63. Sheyla Gutierrez Ruiz (Spa) Cylance Pro Cycling
64. Lotte Van Hoek (Ned) Lares-Waowdeals Women Cycling Team 0:18:45
65. Danielle King (Gbr) Wiggle High5
66. Elise Delzenne (Fra) France
67. Dalia Muccioli (Ita) Ale’ Cipollini
68. Arianna Fidanza (Ita) Italy
69. Jesse Vandenbulcke (Bel) Lares-Waowdeals Women Cycling Team
70. Fanny Riberot (Fra) France
71. Maria Vittoria Sperotto (Ita) Italy
72. Hayley Simmonds (Gbr) UnitedHealthcare Professional Cycling Team
73. Eugénie Duval (Fra) France
74. Kimberley Wells (Aus) Australia
75. Jenelle Crooks (Aus) Australia
76. Alison Tetrick (USA) Cylance Pro Cycling
77. Demi De Jong (Ned) Boels Dolmans Cyclingteam
78. Diana Penuela Martinez (Col) UnitedHealthcare Professional Cycling Team
79. Molly Weaver (Gbr) Team Liv-Plantur
80. Annalisa Cucinotta (Ita) Ale’ Cipollini
DNF Qialon Chen (Chn) China-Chongming-Liv-Champion System
DNF Shana Van Glabeke (Bel) Lares-Waowdeals Women Cycling Team
DNF Alexandra Nessmar (Swe) Lares-Waowdeals Women Cycling Team
DNF Louisa Lobigs (Aus) Australia
DNF Coralie Demay (Fra) France
DNF Rachele Barbieri (Ita) Cylance Pro Cycling
DNS Roxanne Knetemann (Ned) Raboliv Women Cycling Team
DNF Amy Roberts (Gbr) Wiggle High5

GC after Stage 3
1. Trixi Worrack (Ger) Canyon SRAM Racing 8:15:28
2. Romy Kasper (Ger) Boels Dolmans Cyclingteam 0:00:17
3. Ellen Van Dijk (Ned) Boels Dolmans Cyclingteam 0:00:31
4. Katrin Garfoot (Aus) Orica-GreenEdge 0:00:34
5. Gracie Elvin (Aus) Orica-GreenEdge 0:00:50
6. Amy Pieters (Ned) Wiggle High5 0:00:53
7. Tiffany Cromwell (Aus) Canyon SRAM Racing 0:00:56
8. Lauretta Hanson (Aus) Australia 0:01:32
9. Anouska Koster (Ned) Raboliv Women Cycling Team 0:01:34
10. Chloe Hosking (Aus) Wiggle High5 0:01:42
11. Shelley Olds (USA) Cylance Pro Cycling 0:01:50
12. Barbara Guarischi (Ita) Canyon SRAM Racing 0:01:53
13. Marta Tagliaferro (Ita) Ale’ Cipollini 0:02:26
14. Monique Van De Ree (Ned) Lares-Waowdeals Women Cycling Team 0:02:28
15. Lizzie Williams (Aus) Orica-GreenEdge 0:02:30
16. Marta Bastianelli (Ita) Ale’ Cipollini 0:02:34
17. Floortje Mackaij (Ned) Team Liv-Plantur
18. Shara Gillow (Aus) Raboliv Women Cycling Team
19. Lucinda Brand (Ned) Raboliv Women Cycling Team
20. Elisa Longo Borghini (Ita) Wiggle High5 0:02:38
21. Jeanne Korevaar (Ned) Raboliv Women Cycling Team 0:02:40
22. Lisa Brennauer (Ger) Canyon SRAM Racing 0:02:52
23. Sarah Roy (Aus) Orica-GreenEdge 0:03:01
24. Kirsten Wild (Ned) Hitec Products 0:03:23
25. Chantal Blaak (Ned) Boels Dolmans Cyclingteam 0:03:28
26. Katarzyna Pawlowska (Pol) Boels Dolmans Cyclingteam 0:03:31
27. Lauren Kitchen (Aus) Hitec Products
28. Iris Slappendel (Ned) UnitedHealthcare Professional Cycling Team 0:03:37
29. Leah Kirchmann (Can) Team Liv-Plantur 0:03:54
30. Julia Soek (Ned) Team Liv-Plantur 0:04:10
31. Christine Majerus (Lux) Boels Dolmans Cyclingteam 0:04:21
32. Moniek Tenniglo (Ned) Raboliv Women Cycling Team 0:04:39
33. Sara Mustonen (Swe) Team Liv-Plantur 0:04:41
34. Emma Johansson (Swe) Wiggle High5
35. Malgorzata Jasinska (Pol) Ale’ Cipollini
36. Julie Leth (Den) Hitec Products
37. Elena Cecchini (Ita) Canyon SRAM Racing
38. Annie Ewart (Can) UnitedHealthcare Professional Cycling Team
39. Anna Stricker (Ita) Italy 0:04:49
40. Jessica Mundy (Aus) Australia 0:12:36
41. Eileen Roe (Gbr) Lares-Waowdeals Women Cycling Team 0:15:32
42. Annemiek Van Vleuten (Ned) Orica-GreenEdge 0:16:12
43. Yue Bai (Chn) China-Chongming-Liv-Champion System 0:17:13
44. Chloe Mc Conville (Aus) Orica-GreenEdge 0:17:16
45. Ilaria Sanguineti (Ita) Italy
46. Wan Tong Wang (Chn) China-Chongming-Liv-Champion System
47. Roxane Fournier (Fra) France
48. Claudia Cretti (Ita) Italy
49. Susanna Zorzi (Ita) Italy
50. Charlotte Becker (Ger) Hitec Products
51. Yixian Pu (Chn) China-Chongming-Liv-Champion System
52. Anna Trevisi (Ita) Ale’ Cipollini
53. Emilie Moberg (Nor) Hitec Products
54. Valentina Scandolara (Ita) Cylance Pro Cycling
55. Rachele Barbieri (Ita) Cylance Pro Cycling
56. Shannon Malseed (Aus) Australia
57. Xiu Jie Jiang (Chn) China-Chongming-Liv-Champion System
58. Pascale Jeuland (Fra) France
59. Lauren Tamayo (USA) UnitedHealthcare Professional Cycling Team 0:17:33
60. Coryn Rivera (USA) UnitedHealthcare Professional Cycling Team 0:17:55
61. Kyara Stijns (Ned) Team Liv-Plantur 0:17:56
62. Xue Sun (Chn) China-Chongming-Liv-Champion System 0:18:21
63. Sheyla Gutierrez Ruiz (Spa) Cylance Pro Cycling 0:20:30
64. Annalisa Cucinotta (Ita) Ale’ Cipollini 0:22:15
65. Arianna Fidanza (Ita) Italy 0:22:21
66. Demi De Jong (Ned) Boels Dolmans Cyclingteam
67. Elise Delzenne (Fra) France
68. Maria Vittoria Sperotto (Ita) Italy
69. Eugénie Duval (Fra) France
70. Danielle King (Gbr) Wiggle High5
71. Lotte Van Hoek (Ned) Lares-Waowdeals Women Cycling Team
72. Hayley Simmonds (Gbr) UnitedHealthcare Professional Cycling Team
73. Dalia Muccioli (Ita) Ale’ Cipollini
74. Molly Weaver (Gbr) Team Liv-Plantur 0:23:12
75. Mieke Kroeger (Ger) Canyon SRAM Racing 0:24:54
76. Diana Penuela Martinez (Col) UnitedHealthcare Professional Cycling Team 0:29:59
77. Kimberley Wells (Aus) Australia
78. Jenelle Crooks (Aus) Australia
79. Jesse Vandenbulcke (Bel) Lares-Waowdeals Women Cycling Team 0:35:33
80. Alison Tetrick (USA) Cylance Pro Cycling 0:36:40
81. Fanny Riberot (Fra) France 0:45:55