A pack of riders in action during the second stage of the Ladies Tour of Qatar yesterday. The second stage started from the Camel Race Track and ended at Al Khor Corniche. The four-day race concludes tomorrow.
BY RIZWAN REHMAT
DOHA: Two-time champion Kirsten Wild of the Netherlands yesterday won stage two of the Ladies Tour of Qatar in a bunch sprint but overnight leader Chloe Hosking of Australia retained the golden jersey by finishing in top four.
Wild, winner in 2009 and 2010, stole the thunder from Hosking at the finish line, sprinting with control to take stage two with a time of 2hrs 38mins 54secs.
It was the 30-year-old’s fourth stage win in Qatar where the riders were tested by strong northwesterly winds yesterday.
Hosking finished in fourth spot to retain the golden jersey, ending stage two behind Wild, Trixi Worrack of Germany and Elen van Dijk of the Netherlands.
Worrack was the runners-up last year whereas Van Dijk won the Qatar title in 2011.
Wild was ecstatic with her stage win at Al Khor Corniche after the riders completed a distance of 96kms.
“Yes, it was really a fantastic race. I did well for my team. It was really hard work. In the end we made it count in the sprint and I won,” Wild, who finished sixth fastest on Tuesday, said.
The Dutchwoman admitted strong winds proved to be a mighty challenge for most of the riders.
“Last hour was really hard,” she said. “In the beginning it was a pack of three girls who took off. Once we went ahead, we closed the gap, as you saw, and charged ahead. It was really hard out there,” she added.
Hosking maintained her six-second lead over compatriot and team-mate Gracie Elvin (Orica-AIS) but Wild’s stage victory yesterday moved the Dutchwoman up to third overall. Despite finishing in fourth spot, Hosking was delighted with her outing.
“I did hold on to the gold jersey and also the young rider’s jersey. So it was a good day,” the Australian told a clutch of reporters. Hosking said it was difficult to manoeuvre her way close to the finish line when a group of 10 riders surged ahead for the top honours.
“I was outnumbered at the finish,” Hoskings said.
“The Specialised girls were attacking so I was happy not to lose too much time,” the Australian explained.
“I know I lost to Kirsten (yesterda) so tomorrow (Thursday) and the next day would be quite difficult. I will try for another stage win and hopefully things would be okay,” the 22-year-old said.
Starting from the Camel Race Track, a group of 88 riders took off for Al Khor in windy conditions. But it was Wild who sealed the deal in a sprint dash to the finish line once the pack reached Al Khor Corniche.
Despite the stage win, Wild remained composed about the next two days.
“It is just a stage win. We have a strong team and if we do well in the next two days, we have a good chance (to win),” Wild said.
“We spoke to coach as we wanted to some confidence. He gave us the confidence,” Wild said when asked about her interaction with her coach during the stage.
The Dutchwoman quickly denied elaborate plans for today and tomorrow.
“We haven’t thought about tomorrow (Thursday) yet. We will see.
“We were only planing for today and tonight we will plan for tomorrow,” she said.
“The field here is very strong. The top riders and girls are here. So it is really hard racing. We have a strong peloton. There’s always a chance but you have to work hard (for wins). The girls are strong and we are working hard,” she said.
Today’s stage three will start at Al Thakhira and ends at Madinat Al Shamal after the riders complete a distance of 112.5km, the longest route of the four-day race.
THE PENINSULA
