Alexander Kristoff (Katusha) has won the second stage of the Tour of Qatar today, outsprinting race leader Mark Cavendish (Dimension Data) at the end of the 135-kilometre stage from Katara Cultural Village to Qatar University.
However, the stage was marred by a crash inside the last few hundred metres involving several riders including Sam Bennett and Rudi Selig of Bora-Argon 18.
Their team have since provided an update though as they posted the following tweet: “Sam Bennett and Rüdiger Selig look ok. Several abrasions but no major injuries. We hope both can race tomorrow again.”
The crash split the peloton leaving Kristoff and Cavendish to fight it out for the win with the Norwegian narrowly claiming the win, with Roy Jans (Wanty Groupe Gobert) taking third. Cavendish retained the leader’s gold jersey with Kristoff now in second place at five seconds.
Tomorrow’s third stage is an 11km individual time trial near the Lusail motor racing circuit.
Stage 2 Results
1 Alexander Kristoff (Nor) Team Katusha 3:11:26
2 Mark Cavendish (GBr) Dimension Data
3 Roy Jans (Bel) Wanty – Groupe Gobert
4 Greg Van Avermaet (Bel) BMC Racing Team
5 Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor) Dimension Data
6 Andrea Palini (Ita) Skydive Dubai
7 Sacha Modolo (Ita) Lampre – Merida
8 Andre Looij (Ned) Roompot – Oranje Peloton
9 Tomasz Kiendys (Pol) CCC Sprandi Polkowice
10 Viacheslav Kuznetsov (Rus) Team Katusha
