Published February 8, 2016 04:57PM
Feb 8, 2016 – Britain’s Mark Cavendish won the first stage of the Tour of Qatar on Monday ahead of Italian pair Sacha Modolo and Andrea Guardini.
AFP/Yuzuru Sunada
The former world road race champion covered the 175 kilometers from Dukhan to the Al Khor corniche in 3hrs 28.31secs, eight seconds in front of Modolo and 11 seconds ahead of Guardini.
It was a first stage win of the season for Cavendish, and a first win also for his new South African Dimension Data team. “It is the first stage win for Dimension Data on the World Tour and was the result of a great team performance,” he said. “You can’t win in Qatar without a good team, it just isn’t possible.
I am so happy to have won this stage.” Tuesday’s 135 kilometer second stage around the campus of the University of Qatar will see the peloton tackle the course prepared for the world road race championships in October. The tour comprises five stages and will cover a total distance of 626.4 kilometers.
Cavendish is seeking a second win in the Tour of Qatar, having been victorious in 2013.
General Classification:
1. Mark Cavendish (GBr) Dimension Data 3:28:31
2. Sacha Modolo (Ita) Lampre – Merida 0:00:08
3. Andrea Guardini (Ita) Astana Pro Team 0:00:11
4. Alexander Kristoff (Nor) Team Katusha 0:00:12
5. Viacheslav Kuznetsov (Rus) Team Katusha 0:00:13
6. Greg Van Avermaet (Bel) BMC Racing Team 0:00:14
7. Sam Bennett (Irl) Bora-Argon 18 0:00:15
8. Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor) Dimension Data
9. Manuel Quinziato (Ita) BMC Racing Team
10. Arnaud Gerard (Fra) Fortuneo – Vital Concept