Women’s Tour of Qatar Stage 2

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Lizzie Armitstead moves up to 2nd overall after 3rd place on stage 2. Teammate Ellen van Dijk leads, Lucy Garner was 62nd today

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Women’s Tour of Qatar Stage 2

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ASO PRESS RELEASE
It was expected to be one of the most spectacular stages of the Ladies’ Tour of Qatar and stage 2 was indeed at the height of expectations. As soon as the opening kilometres, the favourites of the event made the best of the wind to power off. Part of the first group of 16 riders that dropped down to 6 members in the final moments, Elen Van Dijk claimed her second stage win in the peninsula after surging in the last kilometre. The Dutch rider also conquers the Golden Jersey that she had won back in 2011.

Qatar2015_St2_van_dijk

A traditional venue ever since the ladies first started competing in Qatar, the Al Zubara Fort, situated on the north-western coast, welcomed the start of the second stage of the Tour. A spectacular site for what promised to be an eventful day, especially with the wind picking up in the early hours of the afternoon. The 85 remaining riders took off at 1:40 for the longest stage of the event : 112.5kms heading north to Madinat Al Shamal.

As soon as kilometre 7, the pack, under the influence of the cross wind, broke up into several groups. While the Golden Jersey, Annalisa Cucinotta (ALE), failed to keep up with the pace and was dropped, a group of 16 riders pulled away. Among the front group were the likes of Amy Pieters (TLP) winner in Madinat last year, Hosking (WHT), Johansson (GWT), Amitstead, Van Dijk (both DLT), Brand (RBW) and Worrack (VEL). Their advantage rapidly reached 50’’ at km 12 and continued increasing.

After a first loop around Madinat Al Shamal, the front group crossed the finish line for the first time with a 2’55 lead. Four laps of a small circuit remained to be covered. The leaders would no longer be worried about the chasing bunches as they made it to the first intermediate sprint (km 72) with a 3’55 advantage. That sprint was claimed by Hosking ahead of Tagliaferro (ALE) and Johansson. Another decisive move occurred after 79 kilometres. Indeed six ladies pushed harder and pulled away: Hosking, Longo Borghini (both WHT), Johansson (GEW), Armitstead, Van Dijk (both DLT) and Worrack (VEL). At the third crossing of the line, the 6 escapees could enjoy a 26’’ lead.

The second bonus sprint (4th crossing, km 99) was the scene of another intense battle: Armitstead eventually conquering 3 precious seconds ahead of Johansson and Hosking, while the cloeset group remained 1’35 adrift. In the final 13.4-km lap, despite an early solo attempt from Van Dijk, the leaders stayed bunched.

Counting on the presence of her team mate Armitstead, Elen Van Dijk gave it another go just after the final kilometre mark. Making the best of her impressive power, the Dutch rider would never be caught and made it victoriously to the line. She claims her second ever stage success in Qatar with a 3” advantage over Worrack and Armitstead. Winner of the Tour of Qatar back in 2011, Van Dijk captures the overall leader’s Golden Jersey with a slim 4” lead over Armitstead. The silver jersey also switches shoulders and goes to Trixi Worrack while Italian Beatrice Bartelloni claims the Pearl White jersey for the best young rider.

STAGE 2
1 Ellen Van Dijk, Boels Dolmans Cycling Team 2:39:21
2 Trixi Worrack, Velocio-SRAM 0:00:03
3 Elisabeth Armitstead, Boels Dolmans Cycling Team
4 Chloe Hosking, Wiggle Honda
5 Emma Johansson, Orica – AIS
6 Elisa Longo Borghini, Wiggle Honda 0:00:09
7 Jolien D’hoore, Wiggle Honda 0:01:57
8 Valentina Scandolara, Orica – AIS
9 Amy Pieters, Team Liv-Plantur
10 Tiffany Cromwell, Velocio-SRAM
62 Lucy Garner, Team Liv-Plantur
DNS Sharon Laws, Bigla Pro Cycling Team

Overall
1 Ellen Van Dijk, Boels Dolmans Cycling Team 5:07:47
2 Elisabeth Armitstead, Boels Dolmans Cycling Team 0:00:04
3 Trixi Worrack, Velocio-SRAM 0:00:07
4 Chloe Hosking, Wiggle Honda
5 Emma Johansson, Orica – AIS 0:00:10

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