It took another photo finish to decide the final stage of the Tour of Qatar and once again the victory went the way of Alexander Kristoff (Katusha) with Mark Cavendish (Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka) in 2nd place. Roy Jans (Wanty Groupe Gobert) was the rider in 3rd.
After 3 riders got away early on, Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka riders would control proceedings for the better part of the stage. Once the gap hit 3’00”, Katusha would provide 2 riders to lend a hand in the chase. At only 114km in distance, and the important bonus seconds up for grabs at the finish, it was always going to be a bunch sprint to decide the stage and the overall.
With 10km to go, the race was all together ahead of the expected bunch sprint. Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka did a great job once again to leadout Cavendish, putting him in a prime position with 1km to go.
Edvald Boasson Hagen did a crucial turn for Cavendish inside of 1km to go. It was the Manxman and Kristoff going neck and neck for the final 200m and even on the finish line photo, it was difficult to determine the winner.
In the end, the stage victory went the way of the Norwegian rider. The race organisers later announced that the official time keeper said that there was a 0.0008 sec difference between Kristoff and Cavendish.
With Cavendish placed 2nd though, his overall lead was secure and he won overall by 5 seconds from Kristoff with Greg Van Avermaet (BMC Racing) placing 3rd overall. Boasson Hagen also finished in the pack on the stage to ensure he kept his 5th place on general classification too.
Mark Cavendish
“We were really motivated for today and I have won this stage before a couple of times. The wind was always going to make it difficult today, it was a block head wind and we thought it was going to be cross.”
“Actually it was more a cross head wind so you were never really comfortable. We knew we were going to have to take control and the team were really motivated after yesterday. Obviously we were in control at the beginning of yesterday but then with the puncture of Edvald it really put the team in a difficult situation.”
“It also made it harder for us to take the overall today so we really had to be on top of our game to make sure we finished on the top step of the podium. The lads did it perfectly on the final laps when it was hectic, keeping me in the front and out of danger, so I was ready for the sprint.”
“Obviously it’s nice to be wearing gold now, but I know I am only wearing it on behalf of Edvald. He only lost it because of bad luck and not through any other kind of cause. He should be the guy wearing this gold jersey but we are just super happy to keep it in Team Dimension Data.”
“The team made the step up to World Tour this year and we’ve already won a GC. It is great for the new sponsors, Dimension Data, Deliotte and also to highlight Qhubeka here on the international stage.”
Stage 5 Results
1 Alexander Kristoff (Nor) Team Katusha 2:56:16
2 Mark Cavendish (GBr) Dimension Data
3 Roy Jans (Bel) Wanty – Groupe Gobert
4 Yauheni Hutarovich (Blr) Fortuneo – Vital Concept
5 Sacha Modolo (Ita) Lampre – Merida
6 Sam Bennett (Irl) Bora-Argon 18
7 Moreno Hofland (Ned) Team LottoNl-Jumbo
8 Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor) Dimension Data
9 André Looij (Ned) Roompot – Oranje Peloton
10 Marco Canola (Ita) UnitedHealthcare Professional Cycling Team
Final General Classification
1 Mark Cavendish (GBr) Dimension Data 13:47:23
2 Alexander Kristoff (Nor) Team Katusha 0:00:05
3 Greg Van Avermaet (Bel) BMC Racing Team 0:00:08
4 Manuel Quinziato (Ita) BMC Racing Team 0:00:12
5 Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor) Dimension Data 0:00:25
6 Søren Kragh Andersen (Den) Team Giant-Alpecin 0:00:36
7 Sam Bennett (Irl) Bora-Argon 18 0:00:47
8 Sven Erik Bystrøm (Nor) Team Katusha 0:00:55
9 Viacheslav Kuznetsov (Rus) Team Katusha 0:00:56
10 Michael Schär (Swi) BMC Racing Team 0:01:04
