Il Campione Italiano, The Interview
De Rosa - Inside the Heart (Factory Visit)
Tour of Qatar, Qatar
30 January - 3 February
Preview
Stages
30 January, Stage 1, Khalifa Stadium - Al Khor Corniche, 131.5K
31 January, Stage 2, Camel Race Track - Al Khor Corniche, 138K
1 February, Stage 3, Sealine Beach Resort - Khalifa Stadium, 160K
2 February, Stage 4, Al Zubarah - Qatar Olympic Committee, 144K
3 February, Stage 5, Al Thakhira - Doha Corniche, 151.5K
Total 725K
![Boonen and Crew in Qatar](javascript:ImagePopup("../../photo/2006/Qatar/pre/qsBoonenAndTeamRide.jpg", 400, 300, "Boonen and Crew in Qatar"); "Boonen and Crew in Qatar, photo: Quick-Step")
Boonen and Crew in Qatar, photo: Quick-Step
The 5th edition of the Tour of Qatar follows hot on the heels of the Doha International Grand Prix, two cycling competitions which bring together most of the world's leading professional teams. This year, out of a total of seventeen teams, nine ProTour teams will be participating. Each squadra is made up of eight riders from eight different countries.
The peloton includes the Belgian Terror, Tom Boonen, fresh in his world champion's jersey; Veteran Erik Zabel, riding for the newly formed Milram squadra; and the power-house Team CSC.
After five years the starting and finishing sites are now well known in the peloton: Al Khor, Camel Race Track, Sealine Resort, the Doha Corniche and Khalifa Stadium (ok, sure it is not the Mur de Huy, but hey!). As with previous editions, superb sprints will be on the cards but also unexpected movements within the race, like Team CSC blowing the race to shreds.
Millar back with the boys (Dionne) for Renaissance
Saunier Presentation: Gianetti's 2006 Squadra
